How to Increase Your Visibility When Driving at Night

Travelling by car at night can be frightening if you aren't confident in your ability to see the road. Car crashes are three times more likely to occur at night due to poor visibility. If the streets are poorly lit, you may be driving in virtually pitch darkness.

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Learning how to see better when driving at night is a skill you can use to become a better driver in low-light conditions. In addition, there are numerous ways to increase your visibility while driving on the road at nighttime. Let's look at seven tips on how to see better when you're driving your car at night:

Install LED Headlights & Taillights


Not only are LED lights more efficient than halogen, but they also enhance your ability to see at night. LED headlights and taillights produce a brighter, higher quality of light, increasing how far you can see down the road.

LED lights produce a powerful white beam of light that will increase your confidence as you drive at night. LED lights also last significantly longer compared to halogen and Xenon HID lights. You can also use LED lights in your taillights to help increases the visibility of your vehicle.


Use Anti-Glare Lenses


If you have trouble seeing at night, anti-glare lenses can help increase your confidence. Anti-glare lenses improve the performance of your glasses in poorly lit conditions. The anti-glare coating eliminates reflections from the front and back of your lenses. Additional light can enter your lenses with fewer distractions.

With anti-glare lenses, you will experience sharper vision and less glare from streetlights as you drive by. Anti-glare lenses are treated with a coating that helps your glasses repel water. This will prevent the formation of water spots and keep your glasses clear from debris.


Position Your Mirrors


Adjusting your mirrors is a quick way on how to see better when driving at night. If you experience lots of glare from cars behind you, angle your mirror up or down to reduce the light shining in your eyes. You can also adjust your seating position to change your viewing angle.

From a comfortable driving position, you should be able to see the rear corners of your vehicle in the mirror. It's also worth positioning your rearview mirror at an angle that prevents light from reflecting into your eyes.


Clean All Glass Surfaces


Believe it or not, dirty glass can impede your vision while driving at night. Cleaning all the glass surfaces in your car, including all your mirrors, windshield, and windows will help you reduce glare at nighttime. Subtle smudges and marks on your windshield can make it difficult to see obstacles in low light conditions. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving streaks on your windows.

You can use a product like Windex or make your own combination of vinegar and water to remove all debris from your windows. When cleaning, use a circular motion to avoid leaving marks on your car. It's also a good idea to clean your windshield wipers to prevent spreading dirt and grime all over your windshield. Regular maintenance is part of learning how to see better when driving at night.


Look Away from Oncoming Traffic


Driving at night can feel quite dangerous whenever a passing car might blind you with its headlights. The glare from other headlights can be quite distracting and cause you to lose sight of other objects in front of you.

To avoid this, look down and to the right when cars are about to pass you. Keeping your eyes at this angle will help you focus on the white line that divides the road and avoid being temporarily blinded from headlights. With this technique, you can see passing vehicles in your peripheral version without feeling blinded.


Dim Your Gauge Cluster


Keeping the lights low inside your car can help improve visibility while driving at night. Reducing glare wherever possible helps your eyes stay focused and perform better in low-light situations. Try turning down the gauge light a bit, so there's less light competing for attention from your eyes.

If you have a modern car with an interactive screen, you can try turning down the brightness. While you may struggle to look at your gauges and screens at a glance, you'll feel more confident in your ability to see obstacles on the road in front of you.


Use High Beams in Rural Areas


Many drivers don't use their high beams enough while driving. Using your high beams makes it easier for other cars to see you and easier for you to identify animals jumping out into the road. High beams also shine light into ditches where animals like to hide before jumping out into the road.

Don't be afraid of blinding other drivers when using your high beams. Simply switch them off when you notice a car 100 to 200 meters away. After they pass by, you can turn back on your high beams, which will help you drive with more confidence at night.