So you can easily drive in the dark

Driving in the dark does not have to be difficult, but it is often less comfortable. In bad weather you are more likely to suffer from glare. And there are more aspects to watch out for. We give you advice here if you have to drive through the dark.

Open door: provide good lighting

Especially in the dark it is important to have good lighting. Now most roads are well lit. However, it does make a difference whether all lamps work properly. A small detail: especially in bad weather, the automatic switch can sometimes switch to low beam later than you want. The daytime running lights are there at the front for visibility, but your rear lights only work when you turn on the low beam. Then switch on your low beam manually.

Do you have an older car? Then check if your headlights are still clear. If they have become yellow or dull, this is at the expense of the light output. And you can fix that.

You may also use high beam in poor visibility. You have to take into account that you do not dazzle other drivers. Also pay attention to cyclists who ride on the cycle path along a (main) road.

Look at the direction you’re driving

An important fact is that you have to look in the direction you are going. Then you steer yourself in the right direction. If you look more to the right than to the left, you also prevent the lights of oncoming traffic from dazzling you.

Clean windows make driving at night easier

Our advice is to keep the windows clean, also on the inside. You also benefit from sunny weather. In the dark, clean windows also prevent glare and reflections. You can see well with it, but it’s less tiring if you keep the windshield clear.

Are you night blind?

For various reasons, including heredity or, for example, a deficiency of vitamin A, you may see less well in the dark. You also notice if it is difficult to get used to the dark when you come out of a brightly lit room. This is called night blindness: you see less well in the dark or at night. This can of course also have repercussions if you drive in the dark. In an extreme case, you should talk to your doctor or ophthalmologist. Even if you mention poor vision in the dark on the health declaration when renewing your driving license, it is possible that you will be referred to an ophthalmologist by the CBR. You have to pay those costs yourself. And the result may be that you are not allowed to drive a car in the dark.

If you have a non-hereditary form of night blindness, rest and a varied diet with vitamin A can improve. You can also look at night vision goggles. The yellow lenses in the glasses increase the contrast and dim bright light or sharp reflections on the road surface. This can make a big difference, especially in bad weather.

Avoid bright light from your phone

Driving at night also helps to reduce distracting lighting around you. Think of the lighting of your dashboard or your smartphone that you may use with a navigation app. If you do the latter, set it so that you also show a dark background in the dark. It may be less detailed, but it distracts you less.

Make transition from light to dark easy

Many tunnels are well lit but still darker during the day than the bright sun outside. If you find that difficult, close one eye before entering the tunnel. Then that eye gets used to the dark. Open that eye again when you are in the tunnel and the transition will be easier.

Your Great Enemy: Fatigue

If you drive at night for a long drive, you will also quickly suffer from fatigue. Especially if you’re not used to it. In any case, make sure you start well rested. And set the heating to a lower temperature during the ride. If you don’t like that, aim the warm air at your feet rather than your chest. The body then also warms up, but you keep the concentration better. You can also get extra fresh air by opening the window slightly.