Driving When It's Dark (continued) - Reduced Visibility

Here are some tips for driving at night:

• Be aware that it is much harder to see water hazards at night. Hitting flood water at an unsafe speed will start with a loss of control, then a violent stop. Pay close attention to observe the difference between a wet road and flood water, especially under bridges and low points in the road.
• Fatigue is more likely at night. Being drowsy slows reaction time and the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Alcohol acts as a depressant and just one drink can induce fatigue. More people drink during the weekend. Not coincidentally, more fatal crashes take place on weekend nights than at any other time in the week.
• Age greatly effects a driver's ability to see at night. According to the National Safety Council , 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year old.
• When approaching a vehicle at night, always dim your headlights. You could cause the other driver to have a crash and your vehicle involved as well. Don't look directly into oncoming headlights. Watch the oncoming car out of the corner of your eye and look toward the right side of your lane. When following another vehicle, keep your headlights on low beams so you don't blind the driver ahead of you.
• Keep to the right side of your lane. If a vehicle with one light comes toward you. It could be a bicycle or motorcycle, but it could also be a car with one headlight out.
• Be sure your taillights, signal lights and headlights are working. Check the alignment of your headlights and clean your windows (inside and out) on a regular basis.

According to Texas Law:

Reduced Visibility Reduced Defensive Class