Driving safely on winter nights
This winter, driving at night will be especially more dangerous. At night, a driver’s vision is severely limited, and his ability to see color and contrast present during the day is also reduced. Traffic death is therefore three times more likely to happen at night. Coupled with ice and snow, the danger only increases.
You can avoid being another number in the statistic by following these night time driving tips from the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC):
1. Use your lights courteously - turn your Ford's headlights on an hour before sunset to make it easier for other drivers to see you in early twilight. Also, keep your headlights on at least one hour after sunrise. Remember to refrain from flashing your high beams at a vehicle with its high beams on, this will only increase the chance that two drivers will not be able to see. In fog, use only your Ford’s low beam headlights; high beams reduce your own ability to see and may temporarily blind other drivers. If your Ford is equipped with fog lamps, use them with your low beams only when there is fog or inclement weather.
2. Make it easy for others to see you - be sure all your Ford’s exterior vehicle lights work properly. Don’t compromise your safety and the safety of your passengers by driving around with bad headlights. Repair them immediately or replace them with quality headlights from trusted online auto parts stores like Ford's Parts Online. In case of a vehicle breakdown, pull completely off the road beyond the end of the guardrail ["crash barrier"], if possible, and turn on the emergency flashers ["hazard lights"].
3. Avoid glare - instead of looking at oncoming headlights, look toward the right side of the road [the left hand side in drive-on-the-left countries] and watch [the curb/kerb or] any line marking the outside edge of the traffic lane. When headlights from vehicles following you reflect in your Ford’s rearview mirror, use the "day-night" feature on the mirror or adjust your mirror to cut out as much of the light as possible.
4. Adjust your Ford's interior lighting - if street lights cause a lot of glare, dim your dashboard lights and use your sun visor. Avoid using any other light inside your vehicle.
5. Keep all windows and headlights clean - dirty windows can increase glare, making it more difficult to see, while dirty headlights can reduce efficiency by as much as 90 percent. Be sure to clean the inside and outside of your Ford’s windshield as well as your headlights.
6. Keep your eyes moving - look for flashes or beams of light [or glare] at hilltops, curves and intersections that may indicate the headlights of other vehicles.
7. Increase your following distance - increasing your distance by four to five seconds can make it easier to spot potential problems on and along the roadway and give you more time to respond. In addition, proper lighting will enable you to react quicker and stop at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
8. Regulate your speed - driving too fast is more dangerous after dark than during the day because of decreased visibility. Traveling at high speeds doesn't allow you enough time or distance to stop when you see something dangerous on the road ahead.
9. Prevent fatigue - night driving can be tiring, so ensure good ventilation inside the vehicle and take frequent refreshment breaks to give your eyes a chance to recover. Take a short nap or a brisk walk, or have some caffeine to help you stay alert.
10. Use your Ford’s mirrors to your advantage - exterior mirrors that are properly aligned not only reduce blind spots, they also reduce glare from vehicles behind you. Your Ford’s outside rearview mirrors should be adjusted so that the body work of the vehicle is just outside of the driver's view. In addition, the rearview mirror can be flipped to its "day-night" setting which changes the angle of the reflective surface and appears to dim the mirror.
Make sure to replace any worn or damaged headlights, mirrors, or windshield with only the best Ford auto parts. You can find these and more at Ford Parts Online.
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