How you can improve visibility and safety in the dark, especially when the days get shorter and darkness sets in earlier, you can find out here. Road safety comes first! Poor visibility and prolonged periods of darkness increase the risk of accidents and misunderstandings in traffic.
Why is good vision so important?
Especially in the dark season, many accidents happen due to limited visibility. Even if you follow all the traffic rules, factors such as fog, rain, or dazzling headlights from other road users can significantly impair your vision. A clear view is the basis for quick reactions, which can be decisive in dangerous situations. In addition, early action can help you increase not only your own vision, but also your visibility to other road users.
Adjust and care for headlights correctly
One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve visibility and safety in the dark is to adjust and maintain your headlights properly. The angle of inclination of the headlights is often adjusted, which means that they either shine too low or dazzle other road users.
Tips for optimal headlight adjustment:
- Clean the lenses regularly to remove dirt and cloudiness. You can also polish plastic headlights to increase luminosity.
- Park your vehicle on a flat surface and check that the light cone is evenly distributed on the road.
- Have the headlight adjustment checked at the workshop at least once a year.
Clean windows for a clear view
Clean windows are a must if you want to improve visibility and safety. Dirt, road salt and fogged windows can severely impair your vision. When the light from oncoming vehicles reflects on dirty or fogged windows, a dangerous glare effect quickly occurs.
Tips for clear windows:
- Apply an anti-fog spray to the inside of the lenses to prevent fogging.
- Use glass cleaner to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the panes.
- Make sure that there is enough windshield wiper fluid with antifreeze in the container.
- Replace the wiper blades regularly to ensure streak-free cleaning.
Read now: Tips for preparing your car for winter
Additional lighting and reflectors
If you travel a lot on country roads or drive in areas with little street lighting, additional lighting such as fog lights can be a great help. Fog lights improve your visibility in bad weather conditions, especially in dense fog or heavy rain.
Important notes on additional lighting:
- Attach reflective stickers to the vehicle to be more visible on dark roads.
- Use fog lights only in very poor visibility conditions (below 50 meters).
- Make sure your taillights and brake lights are clearly visible to avoid rear-end collisions.
Adjust the correct seating position and mirrors
An optimal sitting position and the correct adjustment of the mirrors improve your perception and reaction time. An upright and comfortable sitting posture helps you keep a better eye on the traffic situation, and well-adjusted mirrors minimize blind spots.
Tips for the correct sitting position:
- Align the interior mirror so that you have a complete view through the rear window.
- Make sure that your back touches the backrest and that your arms are slightly bent and that they are gripping the steering wheel.
- Adjust the side mirrors so that the blind spot is as small as possible.
Keep a safe distance and adjust speed
In the dark and in bad weather conditions, it is crucial to keep a greater safety distance from the vehicle in front. This gives you more time to react if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes or has to swerve. Your speed should also be adapted to the situation, because poorer visibility increases the reaction time.
Tips for safe driving in the dark:
- Keep a greater safety distance from the vehicle in front, especially on country roads and highways.
- Drive more slowly, especially in the dark and wet roads, to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.
Conclusion: Improve visibility and safety
A clear view and good lighting are the be-all and end-all for a safe ride in the dark season. If you adjust the headlights optimally, ensure clean windows and good wiper blades, and use additional lighting in fog, you'll be well equipped. With the right preparation, you can ride safely through autumn and winter even in poor visibility.