The right night vision

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12 January 2012

Driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive is offering weekly motoring tips to drivers from its head of training, Simon Elstow. This week he is advising on driving in the dark:

  • To improve your view as far as possible, keep your lights and windscreen clean.
  • Use main beam, but when other drivers are approaching, and when following others, make sure you dip your lights to avoid dazzling the oncoming traffic.
  • Only use fog lights when visibility is below 100 metres (it is illegal at other times). Rear fog lights distract and can mislead others because they look like brake lights.
  • Make sure you can stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.
  • If you’re feeling tired, caffeine alone is not a fix. Take a break, drink a cup of coffee and have a 20 minute nap after drinking coffee.
  • If an approaching car forgets to dip its lights, glance to the left-hand kerb to avoid being dazzled.
  • If it’s gloomy in the morning, don’t forget to put your lights on.

Elstow said: “The risk of fatal accidents increases in the dark as visibility is reduced.1 Have regular eye examinations to ensure you are wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need to.”

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Notes to editors:

  1. Calculated from Department for Transport statistics ‘Report Road Casualties: Great Britain’ 2010 Table RAS30012 ‘Reported casualties by time of accident and severity’ figures based on three year average 2008-2010.
  2. drivingadvice.org.uk
  1. IAM Drive & Survive is a commercial subsidiary of the IAM and promotes occupational driver skills and safety for vehicle fleets businesses. IAM Drive & Survive helps employers achieve their duty of care to employees and reduce road accidents while driving on business. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycle riding and cycling.  The IAM has more than 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses.  Our policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.
  2. For information about IAM Drive & Survive phone 0870 120 2910 or visit http://www.iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk

 

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