You are overtaking a car at night. You must be sure that _________.

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How to stay safe on the road when it’s dark outside?


Keep your headlights in tip-top condition

Make sure your headlights are clean and well aligned: they should be slightly pointing down, away from other road users. You should also make certain that they work properly on all three settings - side, dipped, and main. Your headlights are possibly the most critical aspect in keeping you safe at night, and failing to maintain them puts you at unnecessary risk.


Slow down

When visibility is reduced, as it obviously is when it is dark, risks become much more difficult to detect, and your response time suffers as a result. When the sun goes down, try to maintain safe speeds: if you're driving on an unlit road, avoid exceeding any speed that won't allow you to stop within the stretch of road that your headlights cover.


Avoid being dazzled

Unfortunately, there will always be drivers who do not switch off their headlights. If you notice one of these cars approaching, attempt to glance slightly to the left of the road: a few seconds of exposure to intense headlights can impair your sight for several minutes, reducing your response time. If you're being dazzled by a car behind you, move your rearview mirror to get those bright lights out of your line of sight.


It's also vital to note that your brake lights might dazzle other drivers, so try to use your brake pedal as little as possible when waiting at a crossroads or in traffic.