India's highways transform into danger zones after dark, with dim lights, fatigued drivers, and animals crossing causing thousands of accidents yearly. Slowing down and adopting pro habits can reduce those odds dramatically. Road safety experts share five game-changing tips to spot hazards early, react fast, and reach home safely every time, no matter the fog, rain, or unlit stretches ahead.
Clean Lights and Windscreen First
Dirty headlights cut beam range by half, turning even good visibility into a blind gamble. To get rid of the problem, wipe lenses, replace foggy bulbs, and spray the windscreen inside-out before sunset. This simple step spots potholes or stray cows early; many crashes trace back to neglected glass.
Use High and Low Beams Smartly
High beams light up 200m on empty roads, but flip to low instantly for oncoming traffic or trucks, blinding others, sparking head-on disasters. To ensure correct usage practice, the dip. To do so, spot headlights approaching, dim yours, and look to the road edge till they pass. In urban areas, always use low beams only amid sodium lamps.
Slow Down, Double Follow Distance
Night slashes reaction time, braking from 80kph takes 100m blind. Drop speed by 10-20 kmph on unlit stretches, keep 4-second gaps from the vehicle ahead. This buys space for braking if brake lights flare or in case of any other unforeseen event.
Fight Glare and Fatigue Traps
Bright LED lights from oncoming cars are blinding you? Look to the left side of the road instead of straight ahead, which stops temporary blindness. Don't try to fight sleep at the wheel: drink water, turn up the AC, and stop every 2 hours for a quick 5-minute walk. Sleepy eyes miss turns.
Look Far Ahead and Check Mirrors
Spend most of the time looking 10-15 seconds ahead to spot trucks or bikes hiding in the dark. Check mirrors often, gauge the rest. Signal early, honk into blind curves. In fog or rain, go slow with hazard lights on. Use apps like Google Maps for warnings about dark road patches.