The dos and don'ts of driving at night

MOTORING | DRIVING AT NIGHT

Today, many motorists enjoy parting and hanging out till late hours and this leaves many with no option but to drive back home when it's dark.

However, as they drive, end up doing many unlawful things that are not in line with road safety hence causing of many accidents.

However, Traffic experts say much as visibility at night is sometimes a problem; it's important that motorists observe the rules and ensure safety on the road.

The traffic boss Steven Kasiima says most roads in the city have traffic lights and these are there to ease your visibility. This makes it not necessary to have full lights on," he says.

He says night drivers should ensure that their lights are cleaned regularly so that they give bright light that enables them to see clearly.

"In case your lights are losing their brightness, consider changing them or have them scrubbed so that you're still safe on the road, "he says.

Carry spare bulbs
"Like any other emergencies on the road, bulbs can blow off and this can limit you from continuing to your destination especially if you're driving at night, "explains Musinga.

"To avoid such inconveniences, simply carry a spare bulb such that when one or two blow off, you will simply fix the problem and you're good to go," he says

Don't drive with full beam lights
Kasiima says car lights help a motorist to see other road users and also make the other road users notice that a car is coming. "If you put full lights, the rays become too strong that other road users might not be able to see your car clearly."

He notes that a motorist should drive at dim lights and ensure that he can see 40 meters ahead of where he going.

He notes that those in the habit of driving with full lights at night should train themselves to switch them to dim when they see, pedestrians or other motorists approaching them.

"If you leave full lights on, you make others uncomfortable while they drive, "he says.

He notes that if you must drive with full lights, it should be in places where the streets are not lit up and you need a lot of light to see potholes, pedestrians and other road users.

However, he advises that in such areas, keep alert because pedestrians can at times be hard to see. Just to keep them aware of your presence, flash your headlights to alert them.

Never drive at high speed
"Remember visibility is sometimes poor so driving at night might cause you problems especially when you meet a hazard and you want to stop. Instant braking can make you lose control of the car," he says.

Avoid looking at bright light from vehicles approaching you
It's important that as you drive at night, you avoid looking at head lights of cars approaching you because this interrupts your visibility.

 Try to observe slightly from the left-hand side of the road, if you realize you can see, pull off and allow that car go, and then you continue.

Godfrey Mwesigye the former Officer in charge of traffic Jinja road says over taking while driving at night is not good even when you're used to driving on the same road every day.

"Remember your visibility is limited and their might have been some road works on the road during the day and you're not aware," he says.

He advises that if you're to overtake, do it in the right place and be sure that the road ahead of you is clear.

He cautions motorists not to drink and drive.