Night time driving and insurance for car drivers

Night driving is an additional motoring skill that requires special attention because crashes can be more likely at night - with insurance for car drivers also more at risk.

About 40 per cent of road traffic accidents occur during the hours of darkness when driving conditions can be extraordinarily different to the daytime. More than 82,000 people were killed or hurt during night hours in 2007, according to statistics by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The most obvious way to avoid the dangers of night time motoring is to not drive.

Failing that, it is important for drivers to take precautions to ensure they stay as safe as possible on urban main roads or rural country lanes when night time descends.

Tiredness at night
Driving at times when motorists are usually asleep can lead to fatal mistakes. It is best to avoid driving then - feeling tired is an early warning sign drivers may fall asleep at the wheel.

If this is unavoidable, then plan a route that includes rest breaks at least every two hours - plan regular places that are safe to rest.

It would be very helpful to be with another person who can share the driving. This would allow one driver to rest while the other eats up the miles on the road. Failing that, do not ignore tiredness. A proven way to tackle tiredness is to drink two strong coffees and take a short quarter of an hour nap.

If tiredness continues, it is crucial to find somewhere safe to stop and sleep. Failing to do so may lead to a motorist falling asleep behind the wheel with disastrous consequences.

Lights and speed at night
Check all vehicle lights are working and clean before setting off. Only about 10 per cent of what drivers can see in daylight is visible at night. After dusk, motorists lose the ability to perceive depth and to recognise colour - peripheral vision also disappears.

It is important to drive more slowly in the dark. Accidents are more likely to happen when it is difficult to see more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other vehicles that seem to appear from nowhere.

In the spirit of the scouting motto, try to be prepared for the unexpected. This requires attention to vehicle speed. Drivers should choose a speed that provides time to spot hazards and to react and negotiate them safely, allowing appropriate distance to manoeuvre or brake accordingly. Keeping to speed limits is also important.

While other road users should ensure they are as visible as possible by using bicycle lights or wearing reflective clothing, many people don't do this. It is up to drivers to see them in time.

Insurance for car drivers
Whether driving at night or during the daytime, Duck2water Car Insurance Services is able to provide the right kind of cover for any UK motorist.

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