TIPS FOR DRIVING YOUR CAR IN THE DARK

In this period the days are the shortest of the year, so the darkness falls very early and even the most powerful headlights do not work miracles.

EYE TO SPEED 

In winter the hours of light are reduced, and it often happens to drive in the dark . Especially those who do not have perfect eyesight must pay more attention, because in these conditions the focusing “problems” are amplified; However, everyone is required to be extra cautious, adjusting the gait to effective visibility. To travel safely on a road without valid public lighting, it is necessary to be able to stop within the area illuminated by the low beams: motorway excluded, already 80 km / h (even in the presence of a higher limit) can be too many. 

DANGEROUS CROSSING 

So many pitfalls. In the countryside, for example, it can happen that an animal crosses the road. If you have time to react, don’t trust him to run away, but brake immediately: frightened by the headlights, he could stop in front of you. Dodging it is dangerous: you risk losing control of the car, and perhaps moving in the same direction as the animal.

THOSE LITTLE GESTURES 

1) To see outside clearly, the interior must be poorly lit: decrease the light on the dashboard and, if there is one, activate the “night” function of the navigator.

 2) When a vehicle follows you, activate the anti-dazzle release of the rearview mirror. And if you come across a car, look to the right of the road so as not to be dazzled. 

3) Before intersections or “blind” curves, flash the high beams to warn in advance who is arriving on the other side. 

4) Use the high beams only if there are no other vehicles in sight, and the fog lights only in the presence of dense haze: otherwise, they disturb others (and are prohibited by law). 

5) On unlit two-way roads, only overtake if those in front are really slow: further on there may be a curve or an obstacle hidden in the dark. 

6) If the headlights illuminate only a few meters of asphalt, they are incorrectly adjusted: “stretch” the light beam by turning the adjustment wheel on the dashboard. If that’s not enough, contact the mechanic.

IF THEY ARE CALLED DAYTIME

Many recent cars have daytime running lights : they turn on by themselves when the engine is started and are used to be seen by those arriving in front (attention, the taillights remain off). As the name implies, they are used in conditions of good brightness, and certainly do not replace traditional headlights.

BE SEEN FROM BEHIND 

Even if your car has daytime running lights, therefore, you must remember to turn on the low beam, in the tunnel and when it starts to get dark. The ideal is automatic headlights: put the control on Auto, you don’t think about it anymore.