Hitting the road at night? According to the National Safety Council, nighttime is the most dangerous time to drive, and not just because it's hard to see. It's also the most common time for exhausted drivers to be on the road--and for alcohol-and drug-impairment to be at its highest. Stay safe out there by following these tips!
1. Improve or Replace Your Headlights
Just because your headlights are working doesn't mean they're at their best. A thorough cleaning can make a huge difference in your headlights' ability to clearly illuminate the road ahead. If the glass seems foggy, polishing kits are available to buff out micro-scratches and make your lights shine like new again. Still not great? Consider replacing your headlights altogether. It's a relatively inexpensive way to make sure you have much-needed visibility when driving at night, and today's headlights provide years of excellent visibility.2. Plan Your Route
If you have to drive at night, opt for the most well-lit, smoothly-maintained roads possible to take you to your destination. Troublesome potholes, dark curves, and tricky intersections become even more challenging when it's dark outside. Planning your way around them (when feasible) can make a big difference.3. Manage Your Vision to Reduce Glare
For many seniors especially, limited vision coupled with the excessive glare that pops up at night makes a dangerous combination. If you can't avoid driving at night, consider upgrading your eyeglasses to a pair with a glare-reducing coating. Making sure you have a clean windshield will also reduce glare remarkably. If you struggle to see in the bright headlights of oncoming traffic, try looking lower and toward the right side of the road; you should be able just to follow that painted line for a few seconds until the blindingly bright car passes. And finally--slow down. Don't drive faster than you'd be able to stop by the time your headlights illuminated something in your path.4. Drive Defensively
Driving defensively means remaining actively on the lookout for potential hazards. By keeping your eyes moving (think: rearview mirror, side mirror, the road in front of you, approaching intersections) you'll be more likely to see vehicles, pedestrians, or barricades before it's too late to stop. If you know you're exhausted from a long day, sleepy, or just not focusing your best, don't get behind the wheel. It's not worth it.5. Avoid Nighttime Driving
It's not always possible, we know. But if you can, just plan your trips around driving during the daytime when possible. It'll be easier to see where you're going, you're less likely to run into an impaired or distracted driver, and you'll probably be more on top of your game than you would be late at night. Driving during the daytime tends to be less stressful, too; it takes less mental energy and defensiveness to drive safely in broad daylight. If it's foggy, snowing, rainy, or some other form of inclement weather, all the more reason to stay off the roads whenever possible.Holiday Hours
Christmas Eve - Closed
Christmas Day - Closed
New Year's Eve - Closing at Noon
New Year's Day - Closed
Have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!