Wise Travel Tips

Although there are lesser cars on the road at night, especially after midnight, traveling by car (driving) during this time can be dangerous. This is usually because we are forcing our body to stay awake to do something when it is suppose to be sleeping. If you insist on driving at night to travel somewhere, make sure you have had enough of rest or sleep during the day so that you will be alert while driving in the night.

Make sure you have given your car for a full service a day earlier before your travel. Make sure all your car lights, including your car’s headlights and brake lights are functioning properly. Also make sure you have washed your car’s windshield clean. When you are driving in the night, make it a point to rest and relax every one hundred kilometers or so. You can use this time to check whether your lights are still working as well as wiping and cleaning up your windshield.

When driving at night, be discreet in using your car’s headlight or high beam. Use only when there is no oncoming traffic or vehicles. If an oncoming vehicle uses a high beam and continue to do so, don’t react by showing your headlights or high beams. Don’t look directly into the oncoming high beam as you can get blinded temporary. Relax and slow down your car and move to the sideway and let the oncoming vehicle pass by. There is no need to rush. You can continue your driving later. Doing this can reduce or prevent head-on collisions.

One of the thing I have learned to keep myself alert and awake while driving at night is to not focusing on the centerline of the road as it can cause us to fall asleep. Although I keep my eyes on the road, I will occasionally shake my head and look at the side of the roads for a one or two seconds. This keeps me from feeling sleepy. I’d also listen to the radio. A talk show is good as the sound of people talking will make it hard for us to fall asleep.

If you are driving with someone who can drive too, don’t hesitate to let him or her to drive if you feel sleepy, but if you are alone and feeling sleepy, pull off your car to the side of the road where it is safe and take a rest. If you have water, splash some water on your face and wash your eyes. You can also jump up a few times and stretch yourself as this can make you feel fresh and alert.

In my experience, anyone with good eyesight can drive safely at night provided if they know how to stay alert and safe while driving at night. The first rule for safe driving has always been; not to over speed. Take your time in driving. Your destination will not escape you. It will be still there where you reach there. So drive slowly and safely. I think the sayings, ’slow and steady wins the race’ comes handy here. Hope this driving at night tips helps.