Driving in the Dark: 10 Ways to Stay Alert and Safe

Driving at night, especially in the winter months when sunset is between 5 and 6 p.m., can create hazards with the diminished light. Bright headlights, the sun directly in your face, and then taking a few minutes to adjust to a lack of sunlight all mean taking it a bit more slowly when driving. 

You’ll need to adjust to the glare of oncoming headlights, pedestrians who might not wear bright clothing, and even the natural calm that comes from nighttime. Along rural roads, there are nocturnal animals to be aware of, especially just after sunset or before sunrise.

Though traffic may be not as much of a hassle when it’s dark, drivers may develop a false sense of security. We want you to navigate night driving safely, whether you’re heading home from Springfield or driving down to Branson for the weekend! Read our guide to learn more about how to drive safely at night with the 10 tips from Thompson Sales.

Table of Contents

1. Driving at Sunset or Sunrise
2. Watch for Deer & Other Animals Out at Night
3. Modern Technology for Safer Driving at Night
4. Don’t Overrun Your Headlights
5. Drive at Safe Speeds
6. How to Drive in Adverse Weather at Night
7. Driving on Curves at Night
8. How to Combat Sleepiness
9. Mapping Out Rest Stops & Hotels
10. Keep Reflectors in Your Car’s Emergency Kit
11. Shop for High-Tech Vehicles for Night Driving at Thompson Sales

Driving at Sunset or Sunrise

When you’re driving early in the morning, before the sun comes up, or right at sunset, seeing ahead of you can be challenging. This becomes even more difficult in mid-March or mid-September when the seasons change to spring or fall because of the location of the sun.

Driving with a face full of sun, either in front of you or reflecting off your rearview mirror, makes it hard to see. It can reduce visibility while increasing the risk of an accident.

Try these tips for easier driving when the sun stares right at you:

Use Sunglasses: Wearing polarized sunglasses can help minimize the sun’s glare, allowing you to see more clearly. We recommend sunglasses with UVA or UVB protection. If you wear eyeglasses, consider prescription sunglasses.

Adjust Your Sun Visor: Sun visors are designed to block sunlight without obstructing your view. Adjust it to shield your eyes from direct sunlight while maintaining a clear line of sight on the road. For rearview mirror glare, you may need to reposition the mirror a bit to keep a majority of the sun’s glare off of your face.

Keep Your Windshield Clean: Dust, streaks, and smudges on your windshield or back window can worsen the glare. Clean the inside and outside of the windshield to prevent the sun from scattering across the glass, which can further obscure your view.

Increase Following Distance: Glare can make it harder to judge the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react. Vehicles with advanced safety features, such as a follow distance indicator, can help with this.

Turn On Your Headlights: Even though it might still be light out, turning on your headlights can improve visibility for other drivers, making it easier for them to spot your vehicle in low-angle sunlight.

Slow Down: When sunlight makes it difficult to see, reduce your speed. Slowing down provides more time to react to hazards that might be obscured by glare.

Watch for Deer & Other Animals Out at Night

Driving at night presents unique challenges, especially in areas where nocturnal creatures are active. Animals like deer, raccoons, and coyotes often roam after dark, making it essential to remain alert. Slow down to below the speed limit when driving safely at night on highways, and keep your eyes scanning the road and its surroundings. Watch for any movement or glints of eyes reflecting from your headlights. You’ll have more time to react in case an animal suddenly appears in your path.

In Missouri, there were more than 3,600 deer-vehicle collisions in 2020, resulting in nearly 350 injuries, according to the Springfield News-Leader. That’s why keeping an eye out for nocturnal animals is one vital part of driving at night.

Using your high beams on dark, rural roads can help you see better. Remember to switch to low beams when oncoming traffic approaches to avoid blinding other drivers. When you see an animal, it’s best to reduce speed immediately and try not to swerve drastically, as this could lead to losing control of your vehicle. 

Pay attention to road signs warning of wildlife crossings. These signs are often posted in areas where animal activity is frequent. Slow down in these zones to anticipate possible crossings, especially during dawn and dusk when some nocturnal animals become more active as they head back home.

You might see a variety of animals cross your path after dark:

• Deer, especially in forested or suburban areas
• Raccoons
• Opossums
• Skunks
• Coyotes
• Foxes
• Rabbits
• Owls trying to catch prey crossing the road
• Larger creatures like elk, wolves, or moose are present in northern regions.

If you do hit an animal and your vehicle is damaged, safely pull over to the side of the road as soon as you are able. Call 9-1-1, tell them your location, and await for a first responder to arrive. Paying closer attention in rural areas can help you avoid these collisions and make your journey safer.

Modern Technology for Safely Driving at Night

Newer vehicles come equipped with modern technology that makes driving safer at night. Look for adaptive headlights that adjust their direction based on the steering angle and vehicle speed. The headlights turn with your steering wheel and use sensors to monitor the road ahead. Adaptive headlights make sure curves in the road are well-lit so you can see the edge of the road and any animals.

Look for adaptive headlights, called IntelliBeam, on newer models of the GMC Canyon pickup, light-duty and heavy-duty GMC Sierra pickup trucks, and the awesome GMC Hummer EV. They’re a great technological innovation that helps people drive safely at night.

Automatic high beams are another innovation. This technology automatically switches from low beams to high beams depending on the surrounding traffic. For example, your vehicle’s sensors or cameras detect an approaching car a few hundred feet away. The vehicle automatically lowers the high beams to normal. The idea is to make night driving safer because the oncoming traffic isn’t blinded by high beams. And you can keep your hands on the steering wheel rather than having to hit the headlight switch on the steering column.

While not on GMC vehicles, Cadillac offers Night Vision assist technology. This system uses infrared detectors. At 60 mph, the night vision technology can sense up to 15 seconds ahead of the vehicle rather than 3.5 seconds with normal headlights. Drivers will have extra time to react to something on the road. This technology doesn’t replace a human’s vision, but it can create images on a head-up display so you can see further down the road at night. The night vision system also alerts you to various hazards it detects.

Driver assist systems and advanced safety features, like lane-keep assist and blind spot monitoring, also help with driving at night. Collision warning systems and emergency brake systems come into play if the technology senses something ahead of you.

Don’t Overrun Your Headlights

Overrunning your headlights occurs when you’re driving too fast to react to obstacles or hazards that appear in the distance. You may not have enough time to brake or maneuver if something unexpected enters your path.

A good rule of thumb is to drive at a speed where your stopping distance matches or is shorter than your headlights’ reach. Low-beam headlights illuminate the road about 160 to 250 feet ahead, while high beams extend that range to about 350-500 feet. At 60 mph, a vehicle requires approximately 200 to 300 feet to safely come to a complete stop. Using high beams can help you avoid overrunning your headlights. Slowing down and staying vigilant are also key.

Drive at Safe Speeds

We highly recommend driving at least 5 to 10 mph below the posted speed limit at night. Yes, headlights make driving at night possible, and there is plenty of great technology available. But driving slower at night is always a good idea in case there are hazards on the highway like animals, debris, or cars stopped on the side of the road.

How to Drive in Adverse Weather at Night

Sometimes, we encounter heavy rain, heavy snow, or ice on the roads. Driving in these conditions at night makes adverse weather even more difficult to navigate. Consider these tips when driving after dark in less-than-ideal weather:

1. Reduce Speed

Slow down significantly in rain, fog, snow, or icy conditions. Wet or icy roads increase stopping distance, and visibility is often limited at night. By driving slower, you’ll have more time to react to hazards.

2. Use Low Beams in Fog or Heavy Rain

In fog, rain, or snow, high beams can reflect off moisture in the air, reducing visibility and causing glare that can interfere with seeing down the road. If you have fog lights on your vehicle, make sure they are on in the snow, rain, or fog to prevent glare and improve visibility. 

3. Increase the Following Distance

Leave extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. A larger gap will provide more time to stop if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly due to slippery roads or poor visibility. The general rule of thumb is at least two seconds in ideal conditions. Increase the following distance to three seconds in adverse conditions and at night.

4. Avoid Sudden Movements

In adverse weather, sudden steering or braking can cause your vehicle to lose traction. Instead, brake gently, steer smoothly, and avoid sudden accelerations or lane changes. This is where slowing down can help!

5. Use Windshield Wipers and Defrosters

Keep your windshield clear by using your wipers and defrosters. This ensures better visibility during rain, snow, or fog. Replace wipers every six months to a year to maintain their effectiveness.

6. Stay Aware of Ice and Black Ice

Bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas can freeze before other parts of the road. Be cautious in these areas, especially when temperatures are near freezing. Black ice can be difficult to detect, so drive slowly and avoid sudden movements in these conditions. If you can stay at home and not travel during icy conditions, that is best.

7. Consider Stopping if Conditions Are Severe

If visibility is too poor or roads are too slippery, find a safe place to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Prioritize your safety and the safety of your passengers. Having an emergency kit in your vehicle comes in handy for these conditions.

Driving on Curves at Night

To navigate curves safely at night, start by reducing your speed before entering the curve. Going too fast can cause your vehicle to drift out of the lane. Slow down to a speed that allows you to stay within your lane and maintain full control of your vehicle. Yes, there are advanced safety features on vehicles, but they are no substitute for safe driving at night.

Use your headlights effectively by turning on your low beams if there’s oncoming traffic and high beams when the road is clear. Your headlights may not fully illuminate the curve ahead, so be ready to adjust your speed if visibility is limited. Keep an eye on the road’s edge and any reflective markers or road signs that indicate the curve’s sharpness.

Position your vehicle toward the outside of the lane before entering the curve and gently steer into the turn, avoiding any sudden movements. This helps maintain better traction and control, especially on sharp or winding roads. Always remain alert for potential hazards like animals or debris.

How to Combat Sleepiness

Nighttime naturally causes humans to feel sleepy. One of the most effective ways to prevent drowsiness is to get adequate rest before driving. A well-rested driver is less likely to experience fatigue on the road. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep before embarking on a nighttime journey, especially if you’re going to be on the road for more than an hour.

Take frequent breaks, especially on longer trips. Pull over every two hours or 100 miles to stretch, walk around, and refresh yourself. These breaks can help improve circulation and reduce feelings of fatigue. Additionally, consider switching drivers if you’re traveling with someone else to share the load.

Caffeine can be a useful short-term solution to combat sleepiness. Drinking a cup of coffee or tea before or during the drive can temporarily improve alertness. However, it’s important to recognize that caffeine’s effects wear off, and it’s not a substitute for proper rest. Your body might have a caffeine crash later where you suddenly feel sleepy. So be alert for that possibility.

Engage in stimulating activities, like listening to music or a podcast. Keeping your brain active helps reduce monotony and fight drowsiness. However, avoid excessively loud music or distractions that could impair your concentration. Try not to listen to music or podcasts that could make you sleepy or distract you.

Keep the car’s environment conducive to staying awake. Use cool air or open a window slightly to avoid creating a warm, cozy environment that might encourage sleep. Adjust your seat to an upright position to stay more alert.

The safest option is to pull over and take a short nap if you feel drowsy, but none of these techniques help. A quick 20-minute power nap can help restore alertness and reduce the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

Mapping Out Rest Stops & Hotels

Take into consideration breaks every 100 miles, adverse weather conditions, and fuel stops as you drive. Try not to drive more than 12 hours in a single day. As you go along your route, make sure to map out rest areas, exits with restaurants or hotels, and major cities as you drive. Be aware that driving in western states, with more wide-open spaces, may make it more difficult to find rest stops and hotels along your journey. 

A good rule of thumb is to be no more than 50 miles (1 hour of driving) from a rest stop or hotel, if possible, at the end of your driving day. Plan ahead using mapping software or apps, and you can use your in-vehicle navigation system. If you find yourself not being able to reach your intended hotel before you get too tired, utilize booking software or call ahead to make a reservation.

Keep Reflectors in Your Car’s Emergency Kit

One vital piece item to have in your car’s emergency kit is a set of reflectors. These are triangles or dots with a weighted base that you can set in front of and behind your vehicle so people can see them at night. Reflectors will alert oncoming traffic that there is a disabled vehicle ahead. Stay close to your vehicle if your car, truck, or SUV becomes disabled at night. Call local authorities to alert them, and help will be on the way! Roadside assistance also comes in handy for these situations.

Shop for High-Tech Vehicles for Night Driving at Thompson Sales 

If you plan on driving at night a lot, look for new, used, or certified pre-owned vehicles on our lot with driving technology that makes nighttime journeys safer. We’d be happy to help you find a car, truck, or SUV that fits your needs!

Contact us or call (417) 763-6811, or schedule a test drive with our team. We’ve been serving Springfield for over 105 years!