| The days are much shorter in the winter months, | | | | on the road for a long time, you might find your |
| which means that people are out on the roadways | | | | concentration compromised and your senses dulled. |
| driving in the darkness. Even on familiar roads, | | | | Take frequent breaks if you are on a long road trip, |
| motorists should use caution and watch for other | | | | and don't be afraid to pull over and rest if you feel |
| drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who will be less visible. | | | | yourself getting drowsy. |
| Here are some special precautions that should be | | | | - Avoid sun glare. In addition to coping with darkness, |
| taken by all drivers in the nighttime hours. | | | | you may need to adjust to early morning or late |
| - See and be seen. Get the headlights on your vehicles | | | | afternoon sun glare which can cause reflections off |
| checked. While driving, turn them on one hour before | | | | car windows and bumpers which can cause |
| sunset and keep them on one hour after sunrise to | | | | distractions and/or reduce visibility. |
| ensure maximum visibility. Just because you can see | | | | If you have trouble seeing at night, get your vision |
| other vehicles at dusk doesn't mean that the other | | | | checked by your optometrist and consider taking a |
| drivers can always see you. | | | | driver safety course to learn how to compensate in |
| - Stay alert. With reduced visibility on the road, it's | | | | dark conditions. As we get older we must |
| important that you reduce your speed and pay extra | | | | compensate for reduced vision as well as slower |
| attention. Maintain at least a three-second following | | | | reaction times. So, take extra precautions while driving |
| distance. | | | | at night. |
| - Recognize and prevent drowsiness. If you've been | | | | |