DRIVING AT NIGHT

[Music] every driver must be able to but even Darkness has its on the road the lights of oncoming cars will announce their even though the vehicles themselves are still out of sight over the hill or around the curve ahead at the same time lights of cars overtaking you from behind will be reflected in your rear viiew mirror lights also reveal the presence of car crossings from side roads where they might otherwise be masked by buildings or trees if you take advantage of these benefits and cut your speed so that you do not overdrive your headlights night motoring can be safe and pleasant night actually begins when there is still light in the sky in some areas you must turn on your lights before Sundown it's a good habit anywhere accident statistics show that dusk or t light is one of the most dangerous times to drive if you aren't especially alert on dark overcast days particularly in Winter or on rainy days in the fall when the days are getting shorter you may have to turn on your lights long before Sundown this is why dusk on the road can be dangerous the low contrast values of evening light camouflage oncoming cars there is a car approaching Us in this scene but we can't see it your headlights will not help you to see this invisible car but they will make it possible for him to see you now if he would just turn his headlights on and there they are all at once he is visible and a definite part of the driving picture as it gets dark it is always a good idea to ease up a little on the accelerator otherwise you take the chance of overdriving your headlights the range of most modern bright beams on a clear night and on a straight and level road is about 350 ft at 60 M hour you will cover 350 ft in 4 seconds from the moment an obstruction appears in your lights it may take you 1 and 1/2 seconds to see and react and you will have used 132 ft braking will require another 180 ft or more under the best conditions this leaves a margin of about 40 ft or less than 1/2 second of time so after the first instant when an obstacle is revealed 350 ft away you may just barely have enough time to stop a moment of distraction or moisture on the pavement and the result could be fatal easing up on the gas pedal at night is the only answer if you ever have a breakdown or a flat tire at night be sure to turn on your four-way flashers if your car is equipped with them and set out additional warning devices if possible on the subject of headlights we have been talking about high beams sight distance is reduced with low or driving beams dirty lamp lenses reduce it even more as will dirt or a reflective film on the windshield even with clean headlights however you can never see as much at night as you could in the daytime unexpected obstacles can appear even on well-traveled freeways so it will be safer to stay in the slower lanes and keep your speed below the maximum allowed some drivers and their lights can be a hazard at night here is a fellow who won't switch from his bright beams you flash yours briefly to remind him but he doesn't react switch back to your low beams and continue as drivers like this approach don't blind yourself by staring into their lights look Beyond the Lights Down the Road edge of the pavement guide you you don't want to be in the dangerous plight of driving blindly even for a moment high beams reflected in the rear view mirror from a car behind can also be a blinding distraction so as you come up to the car ahead at night give the other driver a break and switch to low beams night driving in commercial areas can be full of visual distra R ractions traffic lights may be lost in a multicolored glare of neon and there is the disconcerting contrast between glaring streets and dark ones the best way to avoid confusion especially in strange neighborhoods is to concentrate on the lights shapes shadows and movements at street level wherever you drive at night be on the alert for pedestrians especially in town keep the thought in mind that someone could suddenly appear in front of you at any time either in brightly lighted streets or in dark streets a person on foot may appear to be no more than a moving shadow if Darkness alone calls for caution bad weather at night demands the greatest possible driving alertness there often comes a time especially on a trip when one should not try to cope with it the smart motorist will give up and find the nearest sleeping accommodations even when the weather is clear you can drive safely only when you are fully awake do off even for an instant and you must let the car drive itself the effect of natural laws takes over and even if you should wake up it may be too late either stop for a break and a stretch or quit for the night and find sleeping account accomodations if you remember that