How to prepare for safely driving at night

As the number of daylight hours decreases in autumn and winter, more drivers are having to navigate the roads in the dark. The combination of reduced visibility and poor weather conditions during these seasons leads the number of road collisions to increase. A survey by the AA Accident Assist team showed these types of incidents increased by 11% in the fortnight after the clocks went back in 2023.

As road traffic collisions are one of the incident types most commonly attended by the Air Ambulance Service, keeping road users safe as nighttime hours increase is a priority for our team. To help drivers prepare for driving in the dark, we’ve highlighted the main dangers and how to avoid or minimise them.

The dangers of driving at night

Darkness is the root cause of most nighttime driving dangers. The reduced visibility, particularly when combined with weather conditions like rain, sleet or ice, makes it difficult for drivers to see the road and surroundings. This increases the likelihood of collisions.

Unseen hazards

Pot holes, blind summits or corners and other road users can all become less visible when darkness falls. Changes in different types of on-road lighting, such as from motorways to country roads, also mean your eyes have to adjust. This can affect your vision and make hazards like animals, cyclists and pedestrians even more difficult to see, particularly if they appear suddenly on the road.

Lights from oncoming traffic

The glare caused by the headlights of oncoming vehicles, particularly if they’re left on full beam, can make it difficult to see the road and other users. Your eyes also take time to readjust from glare, meaning you’re less likely to spot condition changes for several seconds after vehicles have passed. This can be worsened if the inside or outside of your windscreen is obscured by dirt or mist.

Driver tiredness

If a driver is already tired, then heading out in dark conditions can make it more likely for them to lose focus behind the wheel. Fewer daylight hours can also have a greater impact on drivers’ overall energy levels, making their eyes drowsy and causing drops in concentration. Particularly on long journeys or when unexpected delays happen, tiredness can put the road safety of a driver and others around them at risk.

Safety tips for driving in the dark

Particularly in the autumn and winter, it’s almost impossible to avoid driving in the dark. To make sure you’re as prepared as you can be, follow the below advice.

Maintain your vehicle

Getting your vehicle serviced every year and checking the oil, washer fluid and tyres regularly are good road safety habits to get into all year round. When the amount of nighttime driving increases, making sure your headlights are aligned correctly and the bulbs are working properly should also be on your list. This will help you be seen on the road and have enough light to view the conditions in front of you.

Keeping the outside and inside of your windscreen clean is also important to help you see clearly. Making sure your window heaters or fans are working properly, keeping deicer fluids or scrapers in your vehicle and washing your car regularly will stop dirt, ice or steam from building up and blocking your view. Checking your rearview and side mirrors for any obstructions before you set off is also a good idea.

Plan your journey

Particularly if you’re heading out on an unknown route, looking at the weather, time to destination and road conditions ahead of time is a good idea. This means you can leave enough time to get from A to B without exceeding the speed limit or making other risky manoeuvres.

Even if you’re making a regular journey, putting a sat nav on when you’re driving in the dark will help you know if there are any changes in conditions ahead of time, such as road traffic incidents or variable speed limits. This gives you an opportunity to reroute or adapt your driving style accordingly.

Drive considerately

Other road users are dealing with the same darker, more difficult conditions that you are. To keep everyone safe, take their needs into account as well as your own. Make sure you’re using your lights properly, such as indicating in enough time and using a dipped beam when there is oncoming traffic. Don’t get too close to other road users. Slow down in residential areas or where visibility is limited by bad weather, as the risks are higher in these cases.

Also be mindful and patient with less confident drivers, such as learners or older individuals. Give them space and only overtake or manoeuvre away from them when it’s safe to do so.

Protect your eyes

People with healthy eyes can find it difficult to see in the dark. So any vision problems can only add to your risk when driving in the dark. Getting your eyes tested regularly means any issues can be spotted and resolved quickly.

If you do need glasses to drive, make sure you wear them and have clean, unobscured lenses.

Then, when you’re out on the road, be sure not to look directly into any glare or bright lights. This can cause damage to your eyes or make it difficult for them to readjust. Instead, try to keep your eyes on your side of the road several metres ahead or at the vehicle in front of you. That way you’ve got enough time to react to any changes.

Don’t drive tired

Research has shown that getting behind the wheel when fatigued can be as dangerous as doing so when drunk. Falling asleep at the wheel is a major risk to all road users, so avoid driving if you’ve not had enough rest. Taking short breaks or naps on long journeys, driving caffeine and letting in some fresh air can all help you maintain concentration as you drive.

Start with short nighttime trips

If you’ve just passed your test or aren’t as confident in the dark, then gradually build up how much time you spend out on the road at night. Begin by heading out to the local shops on roads you know. Then take a half hour trip to a friend or family member’s house. Eventually, you can start introducing different road types (such as dual carriageways or motorways), taking unknown routes and extending your journey times.

Taking this gradual approach or extra driving qualifications such as Pass Plus can also help you feel more confident when travelling on the road at night.

Have an emergency kit handy

Even if you have taken all the steps above, breakdowns, delays or incidents can still happen. Having an emergency kit in your boot can help you stay safe in these difficult situations. It may include:

• A hi-vis jacket
• Deicer spray and a scraper
• Warm layers like a hat and gloves
• Emergency cones or triangles
• Toe rope and booster cables
• Snacks and water
• A first aid kit
• A torch
• Details of your insurance and breakdown providerBy having these items in your car, you can stay safe, warm and visible until critical care vehicles or other emergency help arrives. That way, even if an incident does happen when you’re driving at night, you’re fully prepared.