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Slow down, especially on higher
speed roads. Your headlights can light
up only so much road ahead.
0
In remote areas. watch for animals.
0
If you're tired, pull off the road
in
a
safe place m d rest.
Night Vision
No one can see 11s well at night
as
in the
daytime. But as we get older these
differences increase. A SO-year-old driver
may require at least twice as much light to
see the same thing
a (
night
:is
a
20-year-old.
What you do i n the daytime can also
affect your night vision. For example. if
you spend the day i n bright sunshine you
are wise
to
wear sunglasses. Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting
t o
night.
But if you're driving, don't wear
sunglasses at night. They may cut down
on glare from headlights. but they also
make
a lot
of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by
approaching lights. It c;tn take a second or
two, or even several seconds, for your
eyes
t o
readjust to the dark. When you are
k e d with severe glare
(as
from a driver
who doesn't lower the high beams. or a
vehicle with Inisaimed headlights), slow.
down a little. Avoid staring directly into
the approaching lights.
Keep your windshield and a l l the glass
on
your vehicle clean
-
inside and out.
Glare
at
night is nladc much worse by dirt
on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a f i l m caused by dust. Dirty
glass makes lights dazzle and flash more
than clean glass would. making the pupils
of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your hcacilights light up
far less of'
LI
roadway when you are i n
a
turn or curve.
Kecp your eycs moving: that way,
it's
casier to pick out dimly lighted objects.
Just
as
your headlights should be checked
regularly for proper aim.
so
should your
eyes be examined regulurly. Some drivers
suffer from night blindness
-
the
inability to see i n dim light
-
and aren't
even aware
of i t .
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can mean driving
trouble. On a wet road you can't stop,
accelerate or turn as well because your
tire-to-road traction isn't as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires don't have
much tread left, you'll get even less
traction.
It's
always wise
to
go slower and
be cautious if rain starts to f a l l while you
are driving. The surface may get wet
suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for
driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain. the harder
it
is
t o
see. Even if your windshield wiper blades
are in good shape.
a
heavy rain can make
it
harder
to
see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of
the road, and even people walking.
117
. . .
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