It’s nearly that time of year again. Marking to official end of British summer time, the clocks in the UK will revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on October 30
th
2016. At 1am, they will go back one hour.
If you tend to get confused as to whether the clocks should go forward or back, an easy rule to follow is ‘Spring forward, Fall back!’
When the clocks go back, the mornings will be lighter but the nights darker. Therefore you should ensure that you drive responsibly in the evening. This is because night time driving conditions are very different to driving in the day. In fact, road collision statistics show that 40% of collisions take place at night.
At night, vision is reduced which makes it more difficult to see potential hazards and other road users, in particular pedestrians and cyclists. You will need to concentrate more, so your eyes may become tired much quicker than they would in the day.
It is also more difficult to judge speed and distance; objects may seem closer than they actually are.
Sadly, there are more drivers under the influence of drink or drugs at night, so be vigilant of others driving erratically. Plus, night time is when your body prepares itself for sleep. Tiredness can set in rapidly, sometimes with very little warning.
The most obvious way to reduce the chance of being in an accident is to try not to drive at night. This is not always possible but if you are a nervous or inexperienced driver, a refresher lesson at dusk with a driving instructor could help you gain skills and confidence when driving in the dark.
In addition, it is important to check your car to make sure it is ready for night driving. You might be prepared but is your vehicle?
Vehicle lights
It is illegal to drive at night without fully functioning front and rear lights. You need to check that all of your lights are in proper working order and that they’re clean.
It is also recommended that you turn your lights on well before the sun sets in the evening and for about an hour after the sun rises in the morning to aid visibility for other drivers when driving in twilight.
Drive using your full beams whenever possible but always make sure that you dip them as soon as another road user comes into view. And if you are dazzled by another vehicle’s headlights, avoid looking at them. It’s always recommended that you keep your attention on the left hand kerb.
Speed
Try not to slow down every time you’re faced with oncoming traffic before speeding up again once it passes. This sort of driving can confuse drivers behind you and with lower visibility, your speed is more difficult to judge.
Instead, try to stay at a steady speed that you’re comfortable with, whether there’s oncoming traffic or not.
Windscreen
Make sure you keep those windows clean! Dirty windscreens are more prone to steaming up and can increase glare from other vehicles’ lights.
Windscreen wipers
There is nothing worse than worn wipers that simply smear rather than clean. And this can be incredibly dangerous when driving at night. It’s essential that you replace worn windscreen wipers as soon as possible.
Stay vigilant
Study the road ahead for any signs of oncoming drivers. You may notice their headlights at the top of a hill or corner, helping you gauge if and when you need to dip those full beams.
Plus, don’t forget about pedestrians and cyclists. Ideally they will be wearing high-vis, but it’s very likely that many will not. In the dark, they can be very difficult to spot so it is important that you pay attention to your surroundings.
Take a break
If you are driving a decent distance late at night, make sure you plan at least one break every two hours. Night driving can sap your energy and as your body is probably trying to gear itself up for sleep, it’s all too easy to fall asleep at the wheel.
Service your car
Breaking down is never an enjoyable moment. But it would be a lot worse if your vehicle broke down on a cold, dark and wet night. So if your car is due a service – whether interim or full – bring it along to M&BM Motors and we’ll make sure it’s 100% ready for night-time driving.
Simply call us on 01375 379401 to get prepared for the darker evenings!
