Being a new driver, nighttime driving will be more challenging especially if you are in unfamiliar surroundings. If you drive after the sun goes down, it’s important to remember that driving at night presents different challenges than driving during the day. Traffic death rates are three times greater at night, yet many of us are unaware of the hazards that night driving poses or effective ways to handle them. At night, vision is severely limited. Drivers lose the advantage of color and contrast that is available during the day and depth perception and peripheral vision are also diminished. Since 90 percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision, darkness is the single largest factor making night driving more of a challenge. There are other factors that come into play at night that are usually not a concern during the day. Many drivers may become drowsy as day turns to night, dulling concentration and increasing the chances for an accident. This brochure by the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) gives tips and general practices to help ensure safe night driving. (Author/publisher)
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