Driving after dark is very common in the late fall and winter months. The sun sets sooner, making it harder to navigate the way home after work.

The risks are many. Deer are crossing the street virtually unseen. A child could be walking along the edge of the road, hard to notice until you are right next to them. And, of course, it is hard to tell if a road is wet or icy. You don't want to spend your evening filing an auto insurance claim. For that reason, consider these tips for safer driving at night.

Recognize the Risks

To be safe on the road, you need to realize risks are numerous. Even drivers with years of experience are more likely to be in an accident at night. Remember, depth perception is off at night. You cannot see color as well. And, your peripheral vision is likely to be low.

For these reasons, give yourself more room between your vehicle and other vehicles. You also want to slow down a bit. Just these two things give you the ability to help avoid an accident. You have more room to react and stop.

Ensure Your Headlights Are All On

It is easy to get in your car and just go. Before you do, check your headlights. Are they all working? Don't forget your turn signal and brake lights. You want to ensure that your headlights are as new as possible. They are brighter when new. Also, speak to your mechanic about their location. Be sure they aim directly out in front of the vehicle. This ensures you have ample visibility.

Keep Interior Lights Low

Dim your dashboard lights. Turn down the lights on any devices in the vehicle. When you make it darker in the vehicle, you do not have the glare outside. Interior lights should be as low as possible. This gives you better vision outside.

Have Your Vision Checked

If you wear glasses, talk to your eye doctor about nighttime driving. Many people have difficulty seeing well at night. Prescriptions can have an adjustment to them that allows for better driving at night. You'll likely appreciate the difference and less glare.

Car insurance agents are available to help you if you do find yourself in an accident. Yet, safe driving at night can help you to avoid those types of situations. For more information on auto coverage, give RCU Insurance Services a call today.