Five Most Common Mistakes Drivers Make When Driving at Night

Even though fewer cars are on the streets at night than during the day, statistics say that the number of car accidents, collisions with people crossing the road or oncoming motorcyclists, and collisions with stationary objects is frequently increasing. Of course, it is recommended not to leave at night, but sometimes it is necessary. Then it would be best if you took the required safety measures on the night road. One of the quickest measures you can take is to rent a car in Dubai with a driver and let the professional take the wheel and safely handle all the technicalities of driving at night. So, here are some other useful tips that will make your night trip comfortable and safe for both you and the surrounding motorists and pedestrians.

Falling Asleep while Driving

Of course, everyone's biological clock is different. But the average person's body is designed in such a way that he wants to sleep in the dark. Even if you sleep during the day, it does not play a big role. Staying awake and attentive all night is beyond human capacity.

Sleeping while driving is the biggest risk of an accident. This state comes imperceptibly. It seems to you that you are driving along the highway, but in fact, it is not real; you are already dreaming. Even dozing off for a few seconds can cause you to hit a pedestrian or bump into another automobile, which can have dire consequences.

If drowsiness overtakes you along the way, you can't drink litres of coffee or energy drinks to drive it away. This will not help but will only lead you into an inadequate, distracted state; for some, it will even cause a headache.

You can open the window so that the breeze blows over your face or start cheerful music. This will help, but only temporarily.

Best of all, if you feel sleepy, park on the side of the road and sleep for half an hour. This is the only effective way to get rid of dangerous conditions. Have a snack(but do not eat too much), drink a cup of tea, and with new strength, you can continue the journey.

Poor Visibility

The first enemy of a motorist on a dark road is limited visibility due to poor lighting. To maximize visibility, check the condition of the car's safety components before driving in the dark. When you rent a car from a reputed car rental in the UAE, you don't have to worry about the car's condition. All cars are insured and in well-maintained condition.

A good car has headlights and taillights, brake lights and turn signals. The light sources in these devices must be serviceable, and the glass must be clean. The taillights of "older" cars are especially affected by pollution. Dirt accumulated over the years greatly reduces the brightness of the glow. So always ensure before leaving for a night drive your car lights are in good condition.

Avoid Using Cellphone at Night

Turn off your mobile phone. Eliminate the urge to check your cell phone by turning it off while driving. While staying connected is important, the half hour you spend in the car should be completely focused on driving.

Serviceability Of Other Elements

Also, check if other vehicle accessories are in good condition, such as wipers, and are working properly. If defective, then buy and install new ones. It won't be too expensive, but using worn-out rubber bands in rainy weather day or night can be heavy on your pocket. Moreover, wash all vehicle windows and side mirrors. Adjust the position of the rearview mirror. Pay special attention to the windshield. It must be cleaned at least once a month until crystal clear, both from the outside and inside. If your glass has a slight coating of dirt and oil stains, then they are invisible during the day, and at night they refract other cars' headlights. The resulting high-intensity light can lead to a complete loss of visibility.

High-speed Mode

At night the roads are usually deserted. There are practically no passing cars, so there is no need to overtake. Unless several slow trucks move in the same direction as you, there are fewer of them than during the day. Given these factors, you want to move faster, which is the main mistake. The fact is that in the dark, the contrast decreases, and the visibility diminishes. If there is an obstacle on the road, the driver does not have time to react and slow down.

Thus, any obstacle at night becomes more dangerous than during the day. This means that even on a free road, it is necessary to observe the speed limit. The speed of movement should be such that you can safely make a manoeuvre, for example, bypassing an obstacle. You can’t do it abruptly, especially if other cars are moving near you.

At night the roads are usually deserted. There are practically no passing cars, so there is no need to overtake. Unless several slow trucks move in the same direction as you, there are fewer of them than during the day. Given these factors, you want to move faster, which is the main mistake. The fact is that in the dark, the contrast decreases, and the visibility diminishes. If there is an obstacle on the road, the driver does not have time to react and slow down.

Thus, any obstacle at night becomes more dangerous than during the day. This means that even on a free road, it is necessary to observe the speed limit. The speed of movement should be such that you can safely make a manoeuvre, for example, bypassing an obstacle. You can’t do it abruptly, especially if other cars are moving near you.

Adhering to the speed rules can significantly reduce the likelihood of getting into an accident on a dark track. Even when you are driving a rental car don’t overspeed. Do not forget that other cars may appear even if the track seems deserted. Treat other drivers the way you would like to be treated. Remember to stay attentive and responsible and drive within the speed limit.