Autumn has arrived, and with it so have the dark nights, with fewer hours of daylight, it's likely that if your daily commute isn't taking place in the dark, it won't be long until it is.
Experts from Swansway Motor Group have provided a guide on driving in the dark, helping you to stay safe on the roads this autumn and winter.
One of the first things you will tackle when the clocks go back is tiredness and fatigue. Not only will it take a few days for your body to adjust to the darker mornings, but over the course of the darker months, the lack of sunlight can impact your body's natural clock and energy levels.
Don't let this tiredness impact your driving, driving in the dark requires an extra level of focus compared to normal, Swansway advises that you should always ensure you are well rested when you travel, and if you are making a long journey, you should take breaks often. It's important that you remain aware and focused on the task at hand.
Speaking of staying focused, bright headlights can often leave you dazzled, and in those few seconds it takes for your eyes to re-adjust, you could easily misjudge a bend in the road or hit an obstacle.
To remain aware of what's on and around the roads, Swansway recommend, that when you see an oncoming vehicle with bright lights, look as far ahead of you as possible and take in your surroundings, such as road signs, turnings, cyclists and pedestrians. Then shift your focus to the left-hand kerb, just for a few seconds and follow the direction of the road whilst the oncoming car passes you.
It's also key to remember that you could be the driver with the dazzling lights, you should use your high beam when driving in an area with no streetlights as it can drastically increase your visibility, however, always remember to turn it off when you spot oncoming traffic.
Experts from Swansway also stressed the importance of checking your vehicle over on a regular basis, especially as we enter the colder, darker months. There are several components to consider, including the battery, brakes, windscreen, wipers and lights.
Checking your brakes are in good working condition can ensure you have effective stopping ability, this is crucial when visibility is reduced as it could be the difference between you stopping in time, especially in cold, wet weather. Similarly, checking your lights can ensure you are both able to see and be seen by other road users.
Finally, Swansway Motor Group conclude that you should take your time, whether this is taking brakes on long journeys to combat fatigue or spending a little extra time at junctions to assess the presence of cyclists or pedestrians.
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