A common manifestation of driving anxiety is feeling anxious about night driving. Driving at night can cause you anxiety, especially if you’re over 50 like I am. It’s more difficult for older folks to see well in the dark. Our night vision deteriorates rapidly with age. The solutions for this are more physical than psychological. Here’s some tips for how to see better at night driving.
Here’s How to See Better at Night Driving
Keep your windows and mirrors clean
You may not be able to see dirt on your windshield during the day, but you sure can at night. Dirt and grime cause major problems with glare after dark. Glare significantly reduces visibility when the sun is down. Make sure to wipe off your mirrors too, so you can clearly see what’s going on behind you. And either clean or replace your headlight lenses. Those things get nasty!
Dim your dashboard lights
The insides of modern vehicles feel more like a spaceship than a car at night. All that light coming from your dashboard makes it hard to see well. Use your dimmer switch and turn them down.
Decrease your speed
This should be a no-brainer. Since you can’t see as well at night, slow down. That’ll compensate – at least some – for the decreased light and slower reaction time.
Set your rear view mirror to the “night” setting
You know that little tab on the bottom of your rear view mirror? Toggling it into “night mode” dims the mirror’s reflection of the headlights behind you. Because who needs bright lights glaring into your eyes from behind at night? You’ve already got plenty from the front.
Don’t stare into oncoming headlights
Speaking of glare, remember when your Mom told not to look directly at the sun? Don’t blind yourself by staring directly into oncoming headlights either. You can see them just fine with a quick glance. And your peripheral vision works just fine too.
Get an annual eye exam
It’s a hassle, but you should really have an eye exam once every year. This is especially true if you’re having problems seeing at night. Annual exams help keep your eyes in good shape. And seeing clearly improves your driving safety overall.
How to see better driving at night isn’t really all that hard. Use the tips above to make your night driving easier, safer, and a lot less nerve wracking.
