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This traffic safety week, drive home the message: Follow rules & stay safe!

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Published on May 10, 2021. EST READ TIME: 4 minutes

A car is a valuable asset, especially in uncertain times like these. During a pandemic, when people want to maintain a safe distance to avoid the risk of infection, cars provide a high level of safety and privacy. However, that does not take away the uncertainty of the road – you could come across places where streetlights may not be working, or people would be driving in the opposite lane on a high beam. You could be an exceptional driver, but nothing prepares you for such situations. Thus, in today's feature, in conjunction with the International Road Safety Week 2021, we bring you our top night-driving tips and how they can be helpful on the Indian roads.

1. Ensure that you have adequate lighting before heading out for a night drive. If your car is a new one and has LEDs, you can be sure of road visibility. But in the case of older models, the car has halogen bulbs. You might have to replace them or buy additional lights for an improved driving experience.

2. Make sure that you keep your car windshield spotless. It may sound bizarre, but this is an important one. A clean windshield enables a clear view of the road ahead, especially when natural light is low to nil. Similarly, clean the ORVMs (Electric Outside Rear-view Mirror) thoroughly as well for a clear view of the traffic behind you. Dirty mirrors tend to deflect light beams producing a glare in your eyes.

3. Opt for anti-glare IRVM film for night driving. Most modern cars are equipped with an auto-dimming IRVM or Inside Rear View Mirror. However, those who don’t have this feature can opt for an anti-glare film. The logic is similar to unclean ORVM – the glare from the vehicles behind you can blind the driver if the lights are too reflective. Therefore, it is safe to get the IRVM dimmed.

4. Practice basic driving etiquettes such as wearing seatbelts, lane driving or not using a phone. This is a no brainer, really! According to the statistics, every year, there are thousands of road fatalities due to the driver negligence. Maintaining a safe distance, signalling before a lane change, and not using headphones while driving are small changes one can make for a safer driving experience.

5. Watch your driving style at all times and try to opt for defensive driving at night. This simply means that you don’t practice road rage, do not overtake, and be within the speed limits to avoid any mishap. This also means that you should avoid hitting the roads if you are unwell, stressed, tired or under the influence of alcohol or substances. You should be responsible for yourself and others, as insurance companies do not cover losses borne out of accidents due to irresponsible behaviour and speeding or racing.

6. Always use low beam and be considerate towards others too. This, though least talked about, is one of the most important tips while night driving. If you are driving in an urban area, it is recommended that you switch over to low beam at all times. This will avoid blinding the driver coming from the opposite lane causing a head-on collision. However, should you be driving in dark areas with no vehicles around, use high beams to avoid dark threats. This explains the next point.

7. Keep an eye on vehicles with blown-out headlights. Any vehicle, i.e. cycles, bikes, car or even trucks, with a single working or blown-out headlights can be a huge threat, especially on two-lane roads. Also, in India, not all roads have been urbanized, and you could be driving on dark rocky terrains for a long stretch, resulting in a collision with bullock carts or cycles. Thus, to avoid such threats, use a high beam on dark stretches and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

8. During the night, slow down near the sharp turns. This one comes for those driving in mountainous terrain with little to no light. Try and spot the light rays of a car that might be coming through the blind turn and act accordingly to avoid an accident. Also, if you need to pull over due to any reasons, try to find a straight stretch and use your caution lights as well. Corners and blind turns can be dangerous at nights if not handled well.

9. Drive slow. Well, the reasons are apparent. There is low visibility at night, and the reaction time is slower as compared to the daytime. Thus, while speed thrills, it can also kill, especially at night.

10. Always check that your car insurance is updated before your drive. You are likely to have third party car insurance because the law mandates it, but you should consider purchasing comprehensive insurance plan. You can easily purchase car insurance online that provides comprehensive coverage at a low premium. It will not only protect your car from damage, but it will also compensate you if it is totalled.

Conclusion

Driving a car is a pleasurable and thrilling experience, but only if we take all necessary road safety precautions. Every year, many accidents occur solely because people neglect safety rules. When we are on the road, how we drive our cars affects our safety and the safety of others. So, start early, drive slowly, and arrive safely!

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

This blog has been written by:

S. Gopala Krishnan | Motor Insurance Expert | 40+ years of experience in insurance industry

A veteran in insurance industry. S. Gopala Krishnan is a name to reckon with in the field of reinsurance, he has headed the Reinsurance department and has rich experience in other fields of motor insurance. He loves to share his opinion on latest topics in the insurance industry and how he can help people in safeguarding their assets using insurance products.

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Few Other Articles:

• 5 safety tips while driving your personal car

• Road safety rules to stay safe on Indian roads

• Break barriers, not rules with these safe driving tips

• Usage-Based Insurance - How it Works and What are the Benefits

• Factors that Influence Car Insurance Premium for SUVs and Sedans

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