Seniors Site

Night Driving, Is It Safe?

If you want my honest to goodness answer, then I would have to say NEVER. It is clearly a no-no for anyone at any age i.e whether you’re a new driver, drunk driver and most of all, a senior driver. Night driving can never be safe. However, there are circumstances that will force us to drive at night no matter how much we detest doing it. Those who still own the steering wheel to and fro work are most likely to find themselves driving at night—even under horrible conditions, unfortunately, it’s a risk we all need to take.
Self regulation is the key to safe driving. It has always been said that it is only ourselves who know exactly what we can and cannot do. While it’s so hard to part ways with our beloved car keys, caregivers or even bothered relatives may confiscate our car keys just because they have proven to themselves that we are already a risk to the society if we continue on driving recklessly. So in order for us to still enjoy this little pleasure in life, we must practice safe driving and that includes not driving at night right?..
One problem that most seniors have when driving at night is poor visibility. Really, it’s hard to see dark things when it’s all blended. Same with gray things when its dusk or dawn. Personally, I don’t drive during “gray hours” as I find it doubly hard to see things than driving at night. I would rather drive with the sun up or let the “gray hours” pass before driving. This, I come to realize during my learning-how-to-drive years and never did I attempt to break my driving cycle, not even once.
Lately, I’m having trouble with night driving as well so I checked out a couple of eyeglasses to help me see better at night. Aside from the usual prescription glasses, I was offered a night vision driving glasses as well as the anti-glare ones. Never a compulsive buyer, I backed down overwhelmed, but promised the good salesman that I will be back with a definite decision. Right now, I am still doing my research.
Meanwhile, I am practicing safer night driving techniques nowadays. For visually-impaired seniors like me, I would like to share these tips and hopefully—like me again—someday we could afford those expensive but spanking hot eyeglasses to help us see the light even if it’s pitch-dark!
·    Turn those headlights on, even if there’s still half-a-sun out there. It won’t cost you any additional fees anyway so why not take advantage of it?
·    If you feel sleepy, do yourself justice and stop wherever safe. Call a reliable friend and let them come and pick you up. This, or you avoid going out late at night!
·    Keep your act together. There should be no room for scatterbrains when driving at night. Stay alert at all times.