Do you often feel a bit on edge when you drive at night? It’s very common for new drivers, but it can carry over to those with all levels of experience. It makes you feel a bit nervous and apprehensive.
The reason is that your visibility gets reduced. Even with headlights and streetlights, it just gets harder to see. Is that a pedestrian on the side of the road or is it a mailbox? Is that another car turning out of a driveway, or is the car just parked facing the street? You cannot take in and process all of the information around you as quickly as you can during the day, and that’s why you feel a bit skittish to drive after dark.
One of the best things you can do when you feel this way is just to slow down. Don’t break the speed limit. Drive five miles per hour under it if you have to.
Slowing down does two things. First, it makes it easier to process what you see. Your brain can sort through all of the information it has at a less-than-frantic speed, and that helps you calm down. Second, reduced visibility also means you have less reaction time if you do see a hazard. Slowing down increases your reaction time again so that you can take appropriate action when something unexpected happens. You may be able to avoid an accident.
Unfortunately, many drivers keep right on speeding after dark, and they can cause serious crashes. Those who get injured need to know if they have a right to financial compensation.
