Make sure you can see and be seen – that is the message to road users from motoring solutions specialists, easytrip, now winter time has arrived.
With longer hours of darkness and tougher driving conditions during the winter months it can further reduce visibility, meaning drivers need to be extra vigilant on the road.
Easytrip offers advice on driving in the increasingly dark autumn and winter evenings:
· Be safe, be seen: use dipped lights even before darkness has fallen.
· In fading light and darkness, pay particular attention to other vulnerable road users such as cyclists, and pedestrians, especially in areas without street lighting or proper footpaths.
· Slow down if the dazzle from the headlights of oncoming traffic is distracting you – and remember to dip your full headlights for oncoming traffic.
· Keep your windscreen clean as streaked windows can make it impossible to see in the dark.
· In darkness always drive at a speed at which you can stop within the distance revealed ahead from your lights (normally 30 metres for dipped lights and 100 metres for full headlights ).
· Driving at night exposes cars with faulty lights which can lead to penalty points so make sure all the lights on your car are in working order including indicators and break lights.
· It is more difficult to judge a safe gap in the dark so never overtake unless you are absolutely certain it is safe to do so.
“Daylight saving time brings with it longer hours of darkness meaning motorists should be more alert on the road." says Colin Delaney, general manager of easytrip. "It is vital motorists can both see and be seen by other road users at this time of year and, in particular, for new drivers who may not have had driving lessons at night time.
"Driving in the dark with restricted vision can be a stressful experience for some drivers so we are reminding motorists to put on your dipped headlights during the day and use your headlights correctly during the evening and at night.”
