Staying safe when you drive at night in New Mexico

Driving at night presents its own unique set of challenges and hazards. It’s a whole different ballgame from daytime driving. Everything is harder to distinguish – other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, road markings and street signs.

It’s almost as if you have to cultivate a separate set of instincts to drive safely after dark. The National Safety Council has gone so far as to call night “the most dangerous time to drive.” Certain aspects of night driving, such as driver fatigue, increased traffic at rush hour and decreased visibility due to poorly-lit roads, enhance the difficulty of night driving.

There are many precautions you can take to drive safely at night. Most of them are obvious and are common sense. That’s why sometimes people neglect them, thus putting themselves and others at risk unnecessarily. A few reminders on safe practices for night driving can keep you and your passengers safer after the sun sets.

Suggestions for safe driving at night

• Don’t let grime build up on your headlights and front and back windshield. Take a damp cloth to all of those surfaces as needed to improve their performance.
• Vehicle breakdowns can’t always be avoided, but their frequency and severity can be minimized by having maintenance done on your car before trouble starts. It’s no fun getting stranded somewhere at night.
• If you have problems seeing clearly at night because of eye conditions like nearsightedness or cataracts, don’t be on the road after dark. You may want to consult your eye doctor as well.
• Use your high beams to improve visibility if no nearby vehicles are traveling in the opposite lane toward you.
• Be alert for signs of drowsiness. If you get too sleepy to drive, pull over and get some rest before resuming your trip.

All drivers are not conscientious about safe night driving. They may take chances which can lead to a collision that leaves you with serious injuries. An attorney with experience can help you weigh your legal options.