Driving at night is an unavoidable circumstance you’ll find yourself in at certain times. While it is common for people to travel along roads in the dark, there are also inherent safety risks that come with the decreased visibility that exists once the sun has set. As a truck owner, you’re responsible for operating your large vehicle in a way that minimizes the likelihood of an accident. Therefore, it’s imperative that you read up on how to see better when driving at night, especially if this is something you currently have trouble with.
Clean Your Windshield
The windshield can get in the way of your sight at night, especially if a lot of grime has built up on its surface. You might not notice it during the day, but the dirt and dust that sticks to your windshield can cause glare as you drive past streetlamps and other vehicles in a dim setting. As a result, you won’t be able to maintain a clear view of the road. Luckily, the fix for this problem is simple. Just take some time to wipe your windshield and free it of the small debris particles. Newspaper works well for cleaning, as it picks up the dirt without scratching the windshield.
Avoid Looking at Headlights
A large part of how to see better when driving at night is to adjust your behavior accordingly. For instance, you might unintentionally look at the headlights of oncoming traffic as they pass. This is not advisable because you want to keep your eyes accustomed to the dark. When you stare at other headlights, your eyes will adjust to that level of brightness, making it momentarily difficult for you to see the rest of your surroundings. Remember to avoid looking directly at headlights even when you are trying to maneuver around other vehicles, so you don’t compromise your vision.
Add Fog Lights
There will be some nights where fog or precipitation will obscure your view. This effect only becomes stronger at night, since everything is already shrouded in darkness. You don’t want to get caught in fog or rain without any way to see, so you should add fog lights to your truck just in case. Fog lights point downward and work with your primary headlights to illuminate the road a few feet in front of you during bad weather. Their wide beams are also useful for broadening your sight on either side of your truck. Make sure to check the laws regarding fog lights in your state to be certain of when you can use them, as they can cause glare for other drivers around you.
If you believe that fog lights will be useful for you when driving at night, browse through our collection of high-performance Rigid Raptor fog light kits at Specialty Performance Parts. You can mount these LEDs naturally within the OEM fog light spots beneath your vehicle’s headlights.