There are a number of factors that contribute to the high nighttime accident rate, things like drowsy driving and a higher rate of impaired driving. Without a doubt, visibility is a major contributor. Let’s focus on visibility.

It’s said that 90 percent of our driving decisions are based on what we see. Nighttime driving has the effect of reducing 20/20 vision to the equivalent of 20/50 vision. What you could clearly see at 50 feet in daylight can’t be seen until you are just 20 feet away at night.

Accident avoidance is dependent on reaction time. Reaction time deteriorates measurably in low light conditions. One thing we can do to improve visibility is to make sure our headlights are as bright as they can possibly be.

Headlamps dim over time. They dim so gradually that you may not notice it. Many experts suggest replacing your standard or halogen headlamps once a year.

If your vehicle has standard headlamps, consider upgrading to halogen lamps. They make a big difference. And there are upgrades available within the halogen category as well. This once-a-year expense is very modest compared to the safety benefits.

Some vehicles come with high intensity discharge – or HID – headlamps. These lamps should last for the life of your car. They are very bright and are clearly the best option for nighttime driving. Depending on your vehicle, you may be able to upgrade to HID headlamps. Talk with your service advisor about options for your car.

Another startling fact is that 90 percent of vehicles on the road have dirty or yellowed headlight covers. Dirty is easy to fix. Just run the window washer over the headlight cover when you stop for gas. Get those bugs and dirt off the cover.

Now plastic headlight covers can yellow or become hazy over time. They can be restored to clarity with a special polishing process. Your service center may even offer this service.

It’s also vital to keep your windshield clean and streak free when driving at night. Make sure you have plenty of washer fluid and that your windshield wipers are in good working order.

We recommend replacing wiper blades twice a year – in the spring and fall.

Fall is also a good time to replace headlamps so you’ll be ready for those long winter nights.

If you’ve ever had a headlamp go out, you’ve probably just wanted to replace the bad bulb. If your car uses halogen headlamps, they dim over time. So if you just put in one, they won’t have the same brightness which can be distracting and will affect your field of vision.

Experts recommend replacing your halogen headlamps every year. It’s easy to remember if you do it when daylight savings time changes in the fall. That way you’ll have bright headlamps for those long winter nights.

There are other types of headlamps in addition to halogen. There are the old standard bulbs that have been around for decades. These are OK, but you can usually upgrade to halogen. They cost a little more but you can’t believe the difference. If you do a lot of night driving you might want to use a premium halogen bulb that filters out the yellow hues and give a very white light that’s a lot like daylight.

You may have noticed those bluish headlights on luxury cars. They are high intensity discharge or, HID lamps. They really light up the road. You can upgrade to HID on some vehicles. These cost several quite a bit, but they’ll last for the life of your car. If you want people to think you have HIDs, you can get halogens with a bluish tint – no one needs to know.

Seriously, though, night driving is all about reaction time – time to stop – time to get out of the way. You can’t react to what you can’t see. You need headlamps that’ll give you a good view down the road and good peripheral vision as well. And your headlights need to be aimed correctly so you can see and also, to keep your lights from shining off into on-coming traffic.

You may have seen older vehicles with headlights that are awfully dim and maybe even yellow. That’s because the plastic headlight lenses have gotten cloudy and yellowed with age. They can be replaced, but many service centers offer a service to restore the lens that’s a lot cheaper.

You can’t drive if you can’t see. Triple A reports that nine out of ten vehicles have dirty or yellowed headlamps. So run the window squeegee over your headlights when you gas up to clear the dirt and bugs. Get your lenses restored if they need it and don’t forget to replace your standard or halogen bulbs every fall.

Like everything automotive, there have been great strides in headlight technology in recent years.  We can all drive more safely at night because of it. Good headlights improve visibility down the road, enabling you to see farther.  They also improve your peripheral vision, helping you to see the sides more clearly.  The more you can see, the quicker you can react to road conditions. This is important because nearly half of traffic fatalities take place at night.  And as the country’s population ages, everything that helps older eyes is welcome.

Most new cars come with halogen headlamps.  A decade ago, halogens were exotic and expensive.  Now that they are standard equipment, the price has come way down. Many luxury cars are equipped with high intensity discharge, or HID, headlamps.  You have probably seen them on the road, they’re very bright and have a bluish tint.

From behind the wheel, there is no doubt that HID headlamps are the best thing going. However, many people complain about HID lights in on coming traffic or when they approach from behind.  In fact, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration called for public comment, they received a record number of complaints about HIDs.  This has lead to several studies – your tax dollars at work.  Some expect future regulation of HID lamps.

All halogen headlamps dim over time.  Experts recommend that they be changed out once a year.  AutoNetTV suggests you replace your headlamps in the fall at the end of Daylight Savings Time.  It’s easy to remember – when you change your clock, change your headlamps.  Remember to replace all headlamps at the same time – then all your lights will be equally bright.  You will appreciate it during those long winter nights.

If you have an older car with old style headlamps – they make halogen replacement lamps for most cars.  You’ll be amazed at the difference this upgrade will make.

In addition to regular halogen lamps, you can upgrade to premium lamps that filter some of the yellow light, making a bright white light that’s more like natural sunlight.  This light’s easier on the eyes and should improve reaction time.

Now, you may be able to step up to HID headlamps, depending on the kind of car you drive.  These lamps should last the life of your car, but cost several hundred dollars a pair.  If you want other drivers to think you’re running HID lamps, you can even buy regular halogens that have a bluish tint.  Does she or doesn’t she?  Only her service technician knows for sure.

Over time, plastic headlight covers can get cloudy or yellowed.  In fact, AAA reports that nine out of ten headlights are dirty or yellowed, greatly reducing vision.  In addition to helping you replace your headlamps, many service centers are also able to restore your headlight covers.  Headlights can be restored at a fraction of the cost of replacing.