| NIGHT DRIVING PERILS DRIVER TRAINING CLASS Driving at night is challenging enough for an experienced driver, but for a new driver it will not only be very challenging, but it can be rather distressing the first time. However, it's all part of a drivers education. A rainy night makes things even more difficult. As a driving instructor of many years, I normally advise new drivers to get some driving practice before starting to do night driving. Not that a beginning driver couldn't drive at night, it's just that with more driving experience it will make things easier, and produce less anxiety. Below are some aspects of night driving that make it more difficult: • Field of vision is restricted • Glare from other vehicles • Colors and contrasts less distinct • Eyes must constantly adjust to different light intensities • Distance and depth perception is reduced More things that add to the difficulties: -Pedestrians and cyclists often wear dark clothing -Cyclists often don't have a light or reflectors -Some drivers forget to turn on their headlights -It is harder to read road signs -It is harder to see pavement markings -Being blinded by high-beam headlights. All of this is discussed in my defensive driver education program "Learn To Drive And Survive" which you can find by clicking here When you are doing a search for other vehicles at night, don't just look for lights. Here's what I mean: Let's say that you have stopped at a stop sign, and you are about to check both ways before you pull out. If you just take a quick glance each way (looking for headlights) you may miss the driver who forgot to turn his on, or the cyclist with no lights. Granted, it's not easy to spot a cyclist with no lights and dark clothes, but you have to make as vigilant a search as possible. Somehow, you MUST see them. When you've done some night driving you will shudder at those drivers who just slow down a bit for stop signs, take a sketchy glance, and away they go! Coping with oncoming headlights: -Don't stare directly at oncoming headlights -If you are momentarily blinded, slow down -As oncoming car gets close, fix the image of the road ahead in your mind -As oncoming car gets closer, look to the right -If an oncoming car has high-beams on, flick yours on and off briefly, to signal driver to lower their lights. Over-driving headlights You may have heard of the term 'over- driving your headlights'. It just means you must be able to stop within the range of your lights. You will have to use your own judgement on this, just like so many aspects of driving. I risk insulting your intelligence when I say that the faster you go, the greater the distance needed to bring your vehicle to a stop. It's a good thing to think about, especially in night driving. Clean windows Having squeaky clean windows during daytime driving isn't that important, but in night driving you will notice a huge difference, especially on a rainy night. On a rainy night keep the defrosters on so the windows don't fog up. Windshield wipers Buy the best quality - you would be amazed at the difference they make on a rainy night! More safe driving tips can be found in my ebook "Learn To Drive And Survive" Click on the link below: http://www.ultimate-driver-training.com/index.html Webmasters: if you would like to link to this article you can use the following URL: http://www.ultimate-driver-training.com/night_driving_perils.html
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