Tips for Driving at Night Over the Holidays

The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and festive lights. It’s also a time when many of us find ourselves driving at night more often than usual—whether to a holiday party, a family get-together, or a shopping trip for last-minute gifts. While driving at night can be beautiful with all the holiday lights, it also presents unique challenges. Reduced visibility, holiday traffic, and an increased likelihood of encountering fatigued or impaired drivers make it essential to practice extra caution. At Get Drivers Ed, we’re committed to helping you stay safe on the road, especially during the busy holiday season. Here are our top tips for safe night driving over the holidays.

1. Keep Your Headlights Clean and Properly Aligned

One of the first things you can do to improve your visibility when driving at night is to ensure that your headlights are clean and properly aligned. Headlights can become cloudy or misaligned over time, which reduces their effectiveness and makes it harder for you to see the road ahead.

Why Clean Headlights Matter

Dust, dirt, and grime can accumulate on your headlights, making them dimmer. During the holiday season, roads can be especially dirty with mud, snow, and salt, so it's crucial to keep your headlights clear. A simple cleaning can significantly improve your visibility.

Aligning Your Headlights

Misaligned headlights can blind other drivers or fail to illuminate the road correctly. If you notice that your headlights are pointing too high, too low, or off to the side, have them adjusted by a professional. Properly aligned headlights are essential for spotting hazards and seeing road signs clearly.

2. Slow Down and Increase Following Distance

During the holiday season, you’ll likely encounter more traffic at night than usual. Many people are out attending gatherings, shopping, and visiting family, which can lead to crowded roads. Slowing down and maintaining a safe following distance is crucial in these conditions.

The Importance of Slowing Down at Night

Reduced visibility at night can make it harder to see obstacles or react to sudden stops. By driving at a slightly slower speed, you’ll give yourself more time to react if something unexpected happens on the road. Get Drivers Ed emphasizes the importance of cautious night driving to help drivers avoid accidents in low-visibility conditions.

Increase Following Distance

Tailgating is risky during the day, but it's even more dangerous at night. Increase your following distance to at least four seconds to allow yourself enough time to stop if the vehicle in front of you brakes suddenly. This extra space can make a huge difference in avoiding rear-end collisions.

3. Stay Alert and Avoid Drowsy Driving

Driving at night can be tiring, especially after a long day of holiday activities. Fatigue is one of the leading causes of accidents, and it’s particularly common during the holiday season when people are more likely to be traveling late at night.

Recognize Signs of Drowsiness

At Get Drivers Ed, we teach students to recognize the signs of drowsy driving. These include frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, and trouble focusing. If you find yourself nodding off or struggling to keep your eyes open, it’s time to pull over and rest.

Take Breaks on Long Drives

If you’re driving a long distance to visit family, plan to take breaks along the way. Short stops can help you stay alert and refreshed. It’s also a good idea to travel with a companion who can share the driving duties or help keep you engaged.

4. Watch Out for Holiday Traffic and Impaired Drivers

The holiday season often sees an increase in impaired driving incidents due to celebrations involving alcohol. While it's best to avoid driving late at night when parties are winding down, if you must be on the road, stay vigilant.

Stay Focused on Other Drivers

Keep an eye on the behavior of other drivers. If you notice a vehicle swerving, braking erratically, or speeding up and slowing down without reason, it could be an impaired driver. Increase your distance from them and report their behavior if it seems dangerous.

Avoid Driving on Major Holidays If Possible

While some holiday traffic is unavoidable, try to avoid driving late at night on major holidays like Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and the nights leading up to them. These are times when impaired driving incidents tend to spike. If you need to drive on these nights, be extra cautious and stay alert to other drivers on the road.

5. Use High Beams When Appropriate

High beams can be incredibly helpful for improving visibility on dark, rural roads, but they need to be used carefully. Misusing high beams can create a hazard by blinding other drivers.

When to Use High Beams

Use your high beams on poorly lit roads with little to no traffic. They provide better illumination of the road ahead, making it easier to spot animals, pedestrians, and other potential hazards.

When to Avoid High Beams

Always turn off your high beams when you’re within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or following another car. Blinding another driver is dangerous, especially on narrow or winding roads. In our online drivers ed courses, Get Drivers Ed emphasizes proper headlight etiquette to help drivers maintain safe and courteous driving habits.

6. Adjust Your Mirrors to Reduce Glare

Glare from other vehicles' headlights can be a major problem at night, especially on busy roads. Adjusting your mirrors to minimize glare can help you see better and avoid being distracted by bright lights.

How to Reduce Glare

Tilt your rearview mirror slightly downward to prevent glare from cars behind you. Many cars also have a "night" setting on the rearview mirror that can help reduce the impact of headlights from other vehicles. Side mirrors can also be adjusted slightly outward to minimize glare from cars in adjacent lanes.

Anti-Glare Glasses

If you frequently struggle with glare while driving at night, consider investing in a pair of anti-glare glasses. These are designed to reduce the effect of bright lights, making night driving more comfortable.

7. Drive Defensively and Stay Prepared for Unpredictable Conditions

During the holidays, people are often in a rush, which can lead to aggressive or distracted driving. Driving defensively means staying prepared for the unexpected and being ready to react to other drivers’ mistakes.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Always keep an eye on your surroundings, especially in busy areas or parking lots where people may be hurrying and not paying full attention. Defensive driving requires you to anticipate potential hazards and respond calmly.

Have an Emergency Kit in the Car

Winter nights can be particularly cold, even in Texas, so it’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car. This could include blankets, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and some basic tools. At Get Drivers Ed, we encourage drivers to be prepared for any situation, especially when driving at night or during the winter months.

8. Take an Online Defensive Driving Course

If you want to improve your night driving skills and overall road safety, consider enrolling in an online defensive driving course with Get Drivers Ed. This course covers essential safety techniques, including how to drive defensively, recognize hazards, and handle various road conditions. Investing in a defensive driving course can make you a more cautious and capable driver, especially in challenging nighttime conditions.

Conclusion

Driving at night over the holidays requires extra caution and awareness. By keeping your headlights clean, slowing down, staying alert, and watching out for impaired drivers, you can ensure a safer journey. Remember to use your high beams appropriately, adjust your mirrors to reduce glare, and drive defensively to handle unpredictable conditions.

At Get Drivers Ed, we’re committed to promoting safe driving habits and helping drivers of all ages stay safe on the road. Whether you’re a new driver or simply looking to brush up on your skills, our online drivers ed courses offer comprehensive training designed to make you a more confident, prepared driver. Stay safe this holiday season, and make every effort to drive responsibly and thoughtfully on the road.