It’s a breeze to drive a car during the daytime. You have your vision set on the roads and all things around automatically come into perspective. Whereas the same is not true with a night drive, adequate light is necessary to ensure you reach your destination safe and sound because night driving isn’t a piece of cake. It is always useful to have additional lighting at night so that you realise the dangers lurking in the dark corners because your eyesight may miss the traps set by darkness.
Third Party Fire and Theft Insurance has the fullest coverage and comes to the rescue should you fall prey to double disasters like a road accident on a stormy night. Having said that, third party insurance coverage in the form of third party property damage insurance can come to the rescue if you damage someone else’s car or property because of a difficult night drive (though damage to your car won’t be covered). Night driving is risky because of diminished light and the reduced depth of perception of human vision. It is almost like leaping in the dark, not knowing where you will land. But there are a few precautions that you can take to minimize your chances of being a victim of an unfortunate event.
Before you start with your night journey, make a car inspection, to check:
- Car Vitals like petrol, oil, tyre pressure and dashboard lights
- Car’s head/tail/fog/hazard/brake Lights
- Windows (clean them if they aren’t completely transparent)
- Road terrains that lead to your destination
- Rear vision mirror and side mirror angles
Also, consider the reason for your outing. If you are night driving to a party or celebration that involves alcohol, reflect on whether your presence is mandatory.
We’d recommend not attending the event if high amounts of alcohol consumption are involved, as you won’t be in a state to drive yourself back home. You wouldn’t want to end up in a dangerous car accident on a gloomy night, would you?
By the end of this introspection, if you still decide to venture out f (under the legal alcohol limit, of course) then follow these rules to ensure your safety.
- Always drive towards the left on the road between the lines and if overtaking, then get back to them as quickly as is safe for you and the car you have passed.
- Keep your car headlights on, even when parked.
- Use high beams only when required, flashing them over drivers coming from the opposite direction may lead to accidents.
- Always use low beams when following another vehicle.
- Stay vigilant and be aware of the surrounding environment.
- Watch out for pedestrians, animals, or cyclists and keep everyone’s safety and security in mind.
- Loud music systems and distracting mobile phones are a strict No while on the road.
- Maintain sufficient distance with successive cars. It will provide you with more reaction time in case of an emergency.
- If you are planning a long drive, such as travelling to another city or state, take regular resting breaks to stay attentive on the road.
- If anybody else on board knows how to drive, then it’d be a great idea to let the other person drive.
- Looking at oncoming headlights directly blinds your vision for some time, in that case, slow down, take a break, then hit the road. Keep comprehensive car insurance as your financial safeguard backup, if all the above measures don’t prevent an accident.
Conclusion
Staying out of harm’s way is better than nursing wounds later. And if that doesn’t work, third party car insurance and comprehensive car insurance help cover you for accidental damage management could cost thousands of dollars otherwise. The decision to drive at night is always in your court. Trust your good judgment on what suits you. Don’t give in to peer pressure or any other external factors and drive your way along in the dark hours.
