Easy Fixes for Night Driving Issues

Clear all-round visibility and a good driving position will help you keep your attention focused on the road when driving at night and ensure a safe journey for you and your passengers.

Cut down on distracting reflections

At night, tiredness, a reduced ability to judge distance and glare can impair our driving ability. It's impossible to eliminate glare completely, but you can reduce its effects and take defensive measures when driving after dark.

• Keep both sides of your windshield clean and degrease your wiper blades with a paper towel dipped in windshield cleaner to reduce streaking. Using the same cleaning fluid, give your headlight glass a regular wipe and have your lights checked for alignment next time you have your car serviced. Repair any cracks or chips in the glass as soon as possible.
• If your car isn't fitted with a self-dimming rearview mirror, put the mirror into its night setting by flipping the tab at the base of the mirror — the lights of cars behind you will appear less bright.
• Make sure your sideview mirrors are correctly adjusted. Lean your head against the right-side window and adjust the driver's side mirror so you can just see the right rear corner of the car; lean over to the other side so that your head is centred in the windshield. Adjust the left-side mirror so that you can just see the left rear corner.
• Don't look directly into the lights of oncoming cars — look slightly away — and always slow down at corners so you're not surprised by the lights of an approaching vehicle. If you wear glasses, make sure they are clean and free from scratches.

Take frequent breaks when driving at night; if you drive a commercial vehicle, you are legally required to make regular rest stops.