Experience when driving at night

The period from 12 midnight to 6 am is the time when car accidents occur the most compared to other times of the day. You can limit driving at night to reduce the risk of accidents. However, there are "force majeure" cases that force you to drive all night to get somewhere. In such situations, you should refer to the following instructions to have a good preparation and safety when driving at night.

1. Check the lighting system carefully, low beam & high beam (French: Code & Phares) must be adjusted correctly and the lighting system must be working properly.

2. Cleaning all the lights and windshields will help you increase your visibility when driving at night. If the windshield is dirty due to bugs while driving, stop the car and wipe it clean.

3. Do not drive at high speed, especially when driving on small roads without small reflectors, you should follow the "four-second" rule. According to this rule, you take the farthest point of light that the low beams reach and start counting four seconds. If you pass the point of light in less than four seconds, you are driving at high speed and should slow down. If you pass the point of light within 2 or 3 seconds, it is only acceptable when you are driving on a highway with reflectors.

4. Must know how to use low beam and high beam properly, only use high beam when there is no oncoming vehicle because two high beams at the same time can blind oncoming vehicles and can cause head-on collisions.

5. Do not look at the headlights of oncoming vehicles. Focus on the road ahead and bright objects, because when you look at the headlights in front, your eyes will be dizzy for 5 seconds to return to their original state.

6. Widening your field of vision should keep your eyes moving from one direction to another instead of focusing on one point in front of you. This helps your eyes adjust well to the dark and helps avoid "highway hypnosis", a state that reduces the eye's processing speed.

7. Wear sunglasses when driving during the day: wearing sunglasses when driving during the day will help your eyes be more sensitive when driving at night.

8. Carry reflective warning signs in case your vehicle breaks down on the road. Keep them in a place where you can easily reach them in case of emergency.

9. If you feel tired, pull over to the side of the road to rest and sleep if you feel sleepy. Coffee is no substitute for sleep, nor is loud music or rolling down the windows. You should take a break every 2 hours even if you do not feel sleepy.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable trip as you decide to drive away from the hustle and bustle of the city.