by Peter D. duPre

Although we do most of our driving during daylight hours, the Department Of Transportation says that 57 percent of all traffic fatalities happen at night. Reduced visibility, people driving under the influence or too fast for conditions, poor weather, failure to stay alert, and unsafe vehicles all contribute to the higher nighttime death toll.

It is important, therefore, to minimize the risks by improving your vehicle and driving carefully. Here are a few precautions you can take to increase your nighttime safety quotient:

- Clean the windows. Fogged windows, road film and fingerprints decrease visibility. Clean the exterior glass every time you fill up and do the interior surfaces once a week or whenever they look filmy or smudgy. Fill the washer reservoir full of windshield cleaner and replace worn wiper blades.
- Have headlights lights aligned. Have the headlights aligned to provide maximum visibility. Keep a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of paper towels in the vehicle to clean both headlights and taillights whenever you fill up. Also, make sure that turn signals, parking lights, license plate lights and taillights are clean and working.
- Improve the lighting. While all new vehicles come equipped with ultra-bright halogen lights, many older vehicles may not have these brighter lamps. Replace the traditional lights with halogen or the newer, blue HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulbs to improve visibility. You might also add a set of fog/driving lights for better low beam visibility during inclement weather.
- Be more visible. A clean car reflects light better than a dirty one and looks nicer, too. So, wash up. Stick reflective tape to the bumpers and side moldings to help others see you better.
- Add a brake light. A third brake light can reduce the chances of being rear-ended by as much as 30 percent. Owners of older vehicles without a high-mounted, center rear brake light should have one installed.
- Breakdown safety. Turn on the emergency flashers when you pull over and before attempting any outside repairs, such as fixing a flat. Put on a pair of white coveralls with reflective patches sewn into the fabric. Use traffic flares and a safety reflector to alert others to your presence on the side of the road.
- Stay alert. Don't drive when tired or sleepy. A fatigued driver has reduced reaction time and has an increased chance of falling asleep. Make sure you are alert and awake. Keep the heat and the stereo down low. High heat makes you drowsy and loud music distracts your attention from the traffic, limiting your ability to hear horns and sirens.
- Drive sober. Drunk drivers are a major cause of nighttime traffic fatalities. Never, ever drink and drive. If you have had even one drink, wait an hour or more before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. If you've had more than two drinks, call a cab and if you spot a drunk driver, call the police.
- Slow down. Darkness reduces overall visibility and your ability to properly judge distance. Decrease speed from the posted limit by 5 mph and increase your following distance.
- Drive defensively. Always give yourself an out. This means that no matter what the traffic conditions, you have enough space to avoid trouble by either stopping in time or by having the room to go around. Keep an eye out for pedestrians, stray animals, cars without lights, bicyclists, drunks and other road hazards. Stay clear of vehicles that are drifting or swerving and never attempt to pass a vehicle that is obviously not under full control.

Peter duPre has been writing about cars and car care for over 30 years. He has authored automotive technical manuals and been published in numerous automotive magazines.

http://autos.msn.com/volvo/article.a...tentid=4022282

 

Well, these are more like common sense, which apparently is rare for most drivers.

 

Im kind of surprised its only 57%....I guess there are less people on the road at night, etc.

 

That title is :captainobvious: but good info...

 

I've witnessed accidents before, and it's basically people doing stupid things.

Especially when it snows...people will drive at the posted speed limit.

 

good info....for noobs

 

Good stuff. I always wash my headlights as soon as they're clean. That way I get the best lighting possible.

 

 

 

 

sauceman = by typo!

Dang, no excuse for that.

Obviously I meant the opposite...

 

"tick reflective tape to the bumpers and side moldings to help others see you better. "

So we should put a bunch of crap on our car to make it easier to see?

Guess no one would miss this car

 

Yup...no one would miss that car if it ended up in the car crusher.

 

dang that painfully hurts to see... what was the driver thinking?