Driving at night

Humans don’t come equipped with night vision. Which is unfortunate, because for driving at night, it would come in handy. From poorer visibility to heavy eye lids after a long day, driving at night has a greater potential to be more dangerous than getting behind the wheel during daylight hours. Below is a list we’ve compiled to help keep you safer when driving after dark:

Stay alert – Don’t ever drive tired. Grab a coffee, share the drive with someone else or if you need to, just pull over and rest.

Plan ahead – If you know you have a long drive, make sure to get in a good night’s sleep or share the drive with someone else.

Take breaks – Get out and stretch your legs and give your eyes a break from focusing on the road in the dark.

Slow down – It’s harder to see in the dark so it makes sense to reduce your speed appropriately (within the posted speed limit).

Leave space – A little extra space will go a long way if you have to break unexpectedly.

Use your high beams – Increase visibility with your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic.

Use your mirrors – Be extra aware of your surroundings at night and always check your mirrors. If you have a night setting on your rearview mirror, make sure to use it to reduce any glare.

Watch for wildlife – Some animals are more likely to come out at night so keep an eye out for them at the side of the road.

Carry an emergency kit – It’s a good idea to have an emergency kit at all times. Make sure there is a flashlight and candles that can come in handy in case of car trouble at night.

Adjust to poor weather conditions – Heavy snow, sleet or rain at night further reduces visibility, so be sure to be extra cautious and adjust your speed in bad weather.

Want to read more tips about driving and car insurance? We have lots of them. Start out by reading about winter driving and then move on to car care tips and find out a few simple ways to help you save on your car insurance.

Safe driving is really important to us whether it’s day or night. By following these simple tips and being well-rested and alert, you can help make your journey and everyone else’s on the road too, safer. The more you know, the better equipped you are for unexpected circumstances.

The content on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Coverages described herein may be subject to additional eligibility criteria, limitations and exclusions. In the event you make a claim, potential indemnification is also subject to the receivability of the claim and the type of coverage you bought.

In the case of conflict between the content on this page and your policy wordings, your policy wordings shall take precedence. Please speak to an Advisor or consult your policy wordings for further details.