Are you ready to Fall Back? The chill in the air reminds us all that Daylight Savings is coming to an end. Starting November 6th, many of us will spend more time driving in the dark – putting even the most experienced drivers at risk. Don’t be afraid of the dark. Drive safely at night.

Driving at night is dangerous for many reasons, including: increased fatigue, limited visibility, and the increased prevalence of drunk drivers. If you know what to expect, you can take action to protect yourself and your family while out on the road.

Drivers can only see about 500 feet ahead of them with high beams on, and only 250 feet ahead with normal headlights. This means you should drive more slowly, as there’s less time to react to something in the road, especially at high speeds. Wherever your destination, keeping yourself and others safe on the road is more important than arriving on time.

Tired drivers are three times more likely to be in a car crash if they are fatigued. So avoid driving altogether if you’ve been awake for more than sixteen hours. If you have to drive a long distance, you should stop every two hours to rest. 

Drunk drivers are more active at night than during the day, so even if the route you’re driving on is familiar, remain on high alert. Keep an eye out for drivers swerving or darting from lane to lane. Avoid driving between the hours of 12:00 and 3:00 AM, especially on the weekends, as these are the hours that drunk drivers are most likely to be on the road.

Don’t let glass be the reason your vision is interrupted at night. Ensure that your windshield is clean. The grime may be annoying during the day, but it can cause a serious hazard at night when headlights hit it, causing a blinding glare. If you wear glasses, make sure that your lenses have an anti-reflective coating, which prevents excess, unnecessary light from reflecting inside your lenses, while allowing more light to pass through.

No matter what time it is, we want you to get from point A to point B safely. It’s good to know you’re covered with the personalized auto insurance you need. Your local Rockingham Insurance agent can help you customize your policy with additional features like accident forgiveness or roadside assistance so your vehicle is protected all year long.