• Make sure your windshield is free of cracks: Cracks in a windshield can severely hinder a driver’s vision so therefore cracks in windshields should be repaired or replaced immediately. Even small cracks if left unattended can expand in the visual range of a driver looking threw the windshield. If the crack is already too large for repair then replacement is suggested.
• Make sure the windshield is clean: Whether it is day or night driving dirt on a windshield limits a driver’s capability to have a clear vision of the road. Windshield washer systems on a car are OK for light debris. However either by neglect, or weather conditions dirt can build up on windshields that limit the windshield washer systems ability to remove the excessive amount of dirt on the windshield. Situations like excessive bug stains, or mud fly back from the car ahead of you may have to be resolved by stopping at the first safe place and manually removing debris. While getting gas is a perfect time to utilize the free windshield washing solutions and tools.
• Replace windshield wipers regularly: Do not wait till windshield wipers fall apart to replace them. Usually the best time to replaces windshield wipers is after the fall right before the winter snow. If a winter is particularly heavy with snow and ice you may want to replace the windshield wipers again after winter before the spring rainy season. Windshield wipers are inexpensive enough where they can be treated as preventive maintenance and replaced before the end of their estimated life cycle.
• During cold damp conditions that produce ice make sure the all windows are completely thawed and all ice is removed from them. Ice is the toughest on windshield wipers, attempting to use windshield wipers that are frozen to the windshield can cause damage to the rubber on the wipers or even worse to the wiper system its self. Ice not only affects the drivers vision from the front but ice on the side windows, rear windows, and outside mirrors can affect a driver’s vision all the around the car. If you are going to use the cars heat and defrost systems to thaw ice from the windshield, windows, and mirrors (if side mirror defrost is available) then plan to take a little more time before being able to drive safely. If time is an issue a window scarper is the best way to expedite the process. Windows can also be treated with chemicals that will reduce ice build up on them.
• Make sure that both headlights are working properly. Headlight maintenance not only means making sure the lights are working in the system. It all so means making sure the lenses of the headlight is clear as well. Over time a film can develop over the front lenses of headlights that restricts the headlights ability to illuminate the road ahead. There are special solutions that can restore the clarity of the headlights lenses cheaper than replacing them. This works well with cars that the lenses are attached to the car and only the bulb needs to be replaced to restore the headlights ability to illuminate the road and surroundings.
• Utilize the bright setting of the headlight system. Even on well light roads some areas of the road will have poor enough lighting that your normal headlight setting will not be able to penetrate the darkness deep enough to give you the proper distance concerning your vision ahead. This is one time that high beam setting should be used. However on a two-way road or highway be aware of on coming traffic and reduce the high beams before coming within a distance where your high beams obstruct the vision of the driver coming towards you. About 500 feet is enough distance to reduce headlights as not to blind on coming traffic. Remember in darker conditions caused by fog, sleet, rain, snow, or dust it is not advised to use the high beam setting on your car because the brighter light will be deflected and diminish the distance that you can see even further. During these conditions utilize the low beam or fog light setting.
While not all the danger can be removed from night driving, remembering these few tips can help you to make your car safer for night driving.