Stay Safe at Night

As the days get shorter in the fall, most people spend more time driving in the dark. As the National Safety Council reports, the road becomes more dangerous after sundown. Traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day, according to the council.

The obvious reason is limited visibility. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that you can see roughly 160 feet ahead with low-beam headlights. But driving 60 miles per hour, you'll travel about 359 feet before reaching a complete stop. This example shows that driving at night at normal highway speeds is dangerous enough, so don't make your odds worse by speeding.

Here are three other ways to avoid evening accidents:

• Be especially cautious at dusk, when your eyes are constantly adjusting to the changing light.
• Turn on your headlights as soon as daylight begins to fade. You might not need them to see yet, but it helps other drivers see you.
• Maintain your car for night driving. Periodically clean the windows, headlights, and brake and signal lights. This will help you see better and make your vehicle more visible to other drivers on the road.

Don't Drive Drowsy

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 100,000 crashes a year can be blamed on driver drowsiness or fatigue. Combined with driving at night, getting sleepy behind the wheel can be especially deadly. The traffic safety agency offers these tips to avoid falling asleep on the road:

• Don't drive late at night, when your body is used to being asleep. If you can't avoid a late-night road trip, take a short nap before you go.
• Don't drive if you're under the influence of alcohol or taking medications that could make you drowsy.
• On long drives, make regular stops to stretch and grab a snack and a caffeinated beverage (coffee and sodas really do make you more alert — to an extent).
• Take a buddy with you. Statistics from the traffic safety agency show that more sleep-related accidents occur when the driver is alone.
• If your eyes are getting heavy, don't push it. Let someone else drive, or find a place to catch a catnap. Ideally, call it quits until you've had a good night's sleep.

Monthly Reminder

Most car batteries today are designed to operate maintenance-free for at least several years. But since a dead battery can leave you stranded, check it every few months. According to the nonprofit Car Care Council:

• Check to make sure the battery is securely mounted.
• Inspect the metal connection terminals; they should be tight, clean and free of corrosion.
• Monitor your car for signs of a weak battery (dimming lights, accessories not working, battery indicator light stays on, etc.).
• A quick and inexpensive test at a service station might reveal the problem.
• Even if it's working, have your battery tested if it's more than a few years old, and replace it if necessary.