Having looked at certain aspects of road safety aka driving safe on roads we shall look at the details regarding the night driving. We have seen how driving in day time is a tedious job when we are dealing with co-travelers who have scant respect for driving rules and this becomes more cumbersome when it involves driving in the night.
According to a statistics a total of 94,009 road accidents were reported between 6 pm and 9 pm last year, accounting for over 20 per cent of the total mishaps in the country, according to a report by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). (Source: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/in-2022-most-accidents-reported-from-6pm-9pm-20-of-total-mishaps-morth-123110200742_1.html)
There are certain tips to follow for a safe night time driving and they are as below:
1. Light Up Your Path – Use Your Headlights Wisely
Dipped and Full Beam: When it gets dark, it’s time to bring out the headlights, but how you use them matters. In town, keep your lights on dipped beam to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Switch to full beam on rural or unlit roads but dip them again as soon as another vehicle is in sight.
Check Your Bulbs Regularly: Don’t wait for a dark night to find out a headlight’s gone! Check all your lights (yes, including indicators and brake lights) regularly to ensure you’re both safe and legally compliant for driving at night.
2. Avoid Staring into the Abyss (or Oncoming Headlights)
Looking straight at the headlights of oncoming cars can temporarily blind you, so shift your gaze to the left edge of the road and follow the white line. Trust us, your eyes will thank you, and you’ll keep that night vision intact.
Bonus Tip: If a driver behind you has dazzling headlights, flip your rearview mirror to its anti-dazzle setting (that little tab at the bottom of the mirror). Modern cars often have automatic dimming mirrors — lucky you!
3. Stay Alert for Nighttime Surprises
Animals and Potholes: Country roads are prime territory for nocturnal animals darting across the road. Slow down and keep a sharp eye out for movement. And beware of potholes lurking in the shadows — they’re not just a daylight hazard!
Pedestrians and Cyclists: Pedestrians can be almost invisible whilst driving at night, especially in poorly lit areas. Take it easy near schools and residential areas, and be cautious of cyclists who might not have reflective gear.
4. Keep Your Car Clean for Clear Visibility
Clean Windows and Mirrors: Dirty windows can amplify glare from other headlights, so keep them spotless. Inside and out! Also, make sure your mirrors are clear — that buildup of dust and fingerprints isn’t helping.
Headlight Hygiene: Grime-covered headlights reduce visibility, so give them a clean every once in a while. It’ll improve your lighting and make you easier to spot.
5. Get Your Eyes Tested – And Maybe Skip Those “Night Glasses”
If you’re struggling to see whilst driving at night time, it might be time for an eye test. Avoid wearing tinted or polarized glasses, as these can actually make it harder to see in low light. Instead, ask your optician about lenses with an anti-glare coating if headlights are a bother.
Those “night driving glasses”? Often just a gimmick, so be cautious
about claims that they’ll improve night vision, plus, it’ll stop you
being mistaken for U2’s Bono.
6. Avoid Fatigue – Rest is Best
Have you ever tried keeping your eyes open for Netflix and woke up 4 hours later? Well imagine that, but well, not waking up?
Driving at night can be draining, and fatigue is no joke. Schedule regular breaks if you’re in for a long drive. Even a quick stretch or a strong coffee can keep you alert and focused. Remember, tired driving can be as risky as driving under the influence.
Pro Tip: Avoid heavy meals before a long nighttime drive — that food coma can sneak up on you! Keeping the temperature cooler helps too.
7. Be Prepared – Pack Some Nighttime Essentials
Torch and High-Vis Gear: If you break down whilst driving at night, a torch (or headlamp) is invaluable, and high-vis gear can make you more visible to other drivers. Cold nights call for a blanket in the boot, too, in case you’re stranded waiting for help.
Charged Phone: It’s also smart to keep your phone fully charged. An emergency kit with a breakdown triangle, high-visibility vest, and jump leads is ideal for those unexpected moments.
8. Know the Road – Adjust Speed for Low Visibility
With limited sight, it’s tempting to go slower than usual — and rightly so. Always drive within your field of vision; if you can’t see past your headlights, slow down. This gives you extra time to react to sudden obstacles, be it a deer, pothole, or curve in the road.
Avoid Overtaking: Night overtakes are trickier because bends or dips can hide oncoming cars. Be absolutely sure the road is clear before attempting it.
9. Dim Your Dashboard Lights
Bright dashboard lights can create reflections on the windshield and
reduce your night vision. Adjust your dashboard brightness to a lower
setting, which can help you focus better on the road ahead without
distractions.
10. Know When to Call It a Night
Sometimes, the smartest move is knowing when to pull over. Heavy rain, fatigue, or overwhelming glare can make night driving too risky. Don’t hesitate to stop at a safe spot and wait until conditions improve. Your destination will still be there in the morning!
Source: https://shiftdrivingschool.co.uk/resources/learning-to-drive/driving-at-night/
ADAS and Its Impact on Road Safety
Human error remains a significant factor in road accidents, with distractions, fatigue, and delayed reactions leading to tragic outcomes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.3 million people die each year in traffic accidents globally, with millions more suffering non-fatal injuries. Many of these accidents could be prevented or minimized with the assistance of ADAS technologies.
ADAS introduces automation and decision-making algorithms into vehicles, helping drivers avoid collisions and improve overall road awareness. These systems use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and machine learning to detect potential hazards and assist the driver in making safer decisions. From alerting drivers to imminent dangers to taking control of the vehicle to prevent a crash, ADAS has the potential to significantly improve road safety across a variety of environments.
Key ADAS Features Contributing to Safer Driving
Several core ADAS features are specifically designed to improve road safety by preventing accidents or minimizing their severity. The most effective ADAS systems focus on collision avoidance, lane discipline, and maintaining safe distances between vehicles. Below are some of the key features that have a direct impact on road safety:
Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS): These systems are among the most vital ADAS features, designed to prevent or reduce the severity of accidents by detecting potential collisions and applying corrective measures. This includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), which uses sensors and cameras to detect obstacles and apply the brakes if a collision seems imminent. AEB is especially effective in reducing rear-end collisions, which are among the most common types of crashes.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA): Lane departure warning systems alert drivers when their vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without signaling, a common cause of accidents due to driver inattention or drowsiness. Lane-keeping assist takes this a step further by automatically correcting the vehicle’s course to keep it within its lane, helping prevent accidents caused by unintentional lane changes or veering off the road.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Unlike traditional cruise control, which maintains a constant speed, ACC adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. By using radar and sensors to detect traffic conditions, ACC automatically slows down or accelerates the vehicle based on real-time data, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions, especially on highways and during traffic congestion.
Blind-Spot Detection (BSD): Blind spots are a leading cause of side-swipe accidents. BSD systems use sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle’s blind spots and alert the driver if another vehicle is detected in those areas. This feature is particularly useful during lane changes and helps drivers make safer maneuvers on busy roads.
Pedestrian Detection: ADAS systems are not only designed to protect vehicle occupants but also vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Pedestrian detection systems use cameras and sensors to identify pedestrians in or near the road and issue warnings to the driver or automatically apply the brakes if necessary. This feature is especially important in urban areas where pedestrian traffic is high.
Statistics Demonstrating ADAS Effectiveness
The effectiveness of ADAS in reducing road accidents has been widely studied, with several reports demonstrating the significant benefits these technologies offer. According to the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), vehicles equipped with ADAS features like AEB and lane-keeping assist systems show a dramatic reduction in accident rates. In fact, a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that automatic emergency braking reduced rear-end collisions by 50%, while lane departure warning systems reduced crashes caused by lane departure by up to 20%.
Moreover, a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights that ADAS features, when fully adopted across vehicle fleets, could prevent over 2 million crashes annually in the U.S. alone. Similarly, a 2020 study conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) revealed that vehicles equipped with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking saw a 25% reduction in injury claims.
(Source: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/blog/the-role-of-adas-in-improving-road-safety/)
Happy Safe driving :)
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