What should you pay attention to when driving on the highway at night?
Driving on the highway requires high concentration, driving at night on the highway is even more stressful and potentially dangerous.
Therefore, to ensure safety, in addition to complying with traffic laws, drivers must also be fully equipped with knowledge and driving skills and have their vehicles checked for safety before driving.
Check fuel, tires
The first thing to do before driving on the highway at night is to check the condition of the vehicle. Especially on long highways, without rest stops or lighting systems.
Specifically, the most basic details that the car needs to ensure are enough fuel for the entire highway journey, the rearview mirror system, and the car lights working properly. In addition, the driver should also consider and ensure the appropriate tire pressure...
Go at the right speed, at the right safe distance
Visibility at night is not as good as during the day, especially in areas where there is no lighting system. Therefore, when driving on the highway at night, drivers should drive more slowly, in accordance with the lighting system and not exceed the speed limit.
In addition, it is advisable to increase the safe distance from the vehicles in front to prevent unexpected situations, giving the driver enough time to react. Normally, many drivers today often apply the rules on safe distance according to Circular 31/2019/TT-BGTVT.
Accordingly, the safe distance between two vehicles when participating in traffic corresponds to each vehicle speed as follows: Cars moving at a speed of 60 km/h, the minimum safe distance is 35 meters.
Cars moving at speeds of over 60 - 80 km/h, the minimum safe distance is 55 meters.
Cars moving at speeds of over 80 - 100 km/h, the minimum safe distance is 70 meters.
Cars moving at speeds of over 100 - 120 km/h, the minimum safe distance is 100 meters.
However, this rule applies under normal driving conditions. When driving on the highway at night, it is best for drivers to "widen" this distance.
Do not stop on the road if necessary
Except for mandatory cases such as vehicle breakdown, vehicle malfunction due to lack of gas, engine stalling, tire change; driver health problems; traffic accidents or other emergencies, it is best for drivers not to stop their vehicles on the highway.
In cases where the vehicle must stop on the highway as mentioned above, drivers should pay attention to their actions to ensure safety. First, if the vehicle has a problem or the driver has a health problem and cannot continue driving, the hazard warning lights (red triangle symbol located on the center console) should be turned on to signal other vehicles on the road. Then, slowly drive the vehicle into the right lane.
Pay attention to observe and avoid stopping at blind spots or bends. Instead, choose straight roads with wide visibility so that other vehicles can easily recognize you. Most of the current highways in Vietnam are designed with some sections that allow emergency stopping and have signs indicating the distance to the emergency lane.
After stopping the car in the emergency lane, you should keep the hazard lights on to signal the vehicles behind. Then, pull the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling on the road. According to experienced drivers, when stopping the car, you should turn the front of the car to the right to avoid being hit by another vehicle causing the car to deviate to the main road. At the same time, place a reflective sign at least 50 meters away from the car to warn of danger, especially when stopping at night.
After stopping the vehicle, absolutely do not stand in the rear area of the vehicle, and evacuate passengers to a safe location to avoid collisions that cause personal injury. Quickly contact a tow truck or call the highway management and operation unit for support to repair or move the vehicle away from the area as soon as possible.
Never drive in the emergency lane.
Highways are not immune to accidents that can occur with vehicles traveling in the emergency lane, forcing them to stop in the emergency lane. These are highway hazards, especially at night when visibility is limited.
Therefore, when driving on the highway, whether at night or during the day, absolutely do not move on this lane. Many vehicles in Vietnam today when having problems on the highway do not have any warning signs from afar, causing many unfortunate accidents due to vehicles going in the same direction crashing into them.
Turn off entertainment screen
The entertainment screen in the car can dazzle the driver and cause loss of concentration. Driving at high speed on the highway, with few street lights on both sides, the light from the central screen creates an uncomfortable feeling. Therefore, when driving on the highway in places without street lights, the screen should be turned off completely.
If you can't turn it off, you can choose night mode or adjust the screen brightness to the best possible level. This helps the driver to fully concentrate on the road ahead, promptly handling dangerous situations.
Stop and rest when feeling sleepy
Drowsiness is considered the biggest danger when driving at night. Therefore, if you feel sleepy or tired while driving, you should find a stop on the highway, take a nap to be more alert before continuing driving.
Carry a reflective sign to use in case you have to stop in the emergency lane if you are too sleepy to drive.
