What is the recommended practice when driving at night?

Driving at night presents unique challenges due to reduced visibility, which can increase the likelihood of accidents. The recommended practice of reducing speed and increasing following distance is crucial for several reasons.

At night, your ability to see obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles diminishes significantly. Slowing down gives you more time to react to any unexpected situations or hazards that may arise, such as animals crossing the road or a car suddenly stopping in front of you. Additionally, increasing your following distance allows for a greater margin of safety; if the vehicle in front of you needs to stop suddenly, having extra space helps to prevent collisions. The combination of these practices enhances overall safety during nighttime driving conditions.

Maintaining the same speed as during the day or using high beams at all times can lead to dangerous situations, as you may not be able to react quickly enough to hazards or may create blinding glare for oncoming drivers. Driving without headlights is unsafe and illegal, as it eliminates your visibility and that of other road users. Therefore, adjusting your speed and following distance is the most effective approach to navigating the roads safely at night.