Night driving, you either love it or you hate it. There really is no middle ground and depending on who you talk to it can be difficult to decide the best time of day, or night, to hit the road.
Ultimately the decision relies entirely on you, the driver, and what works best for your driving preferences and the shippers and receivers that your company works with.
Tips for Hitting the Road at Night
Check your lights regularly. Making sure that your headlights and all of your running lights are working properly, and that all the lenses are clean and in good condition without any cracks or discolouration is important for every trucker. Those choosing to drive at night will want to ensure everything is in good working order because you’ll be relying on your lights to see and a burnt out running light is far more noticeable to police and DOT at night.
Clean Windshield is essential. Keeping your windshield clean (inside and out) will help reduce light flares, halos and starburst distortion from any light source.
Don’t blind other drivers with your high beams. If you see headlights or taillights in the distance, be courteous and turn off your high beams.
Drive Defensively. Watch out for intoxicated drivers who tend to be out on the roadways later after a night of partying. If you see someone swerving or driving erratically, keep your distance and call 911 to report the driver so that everyone can stay safe on the roads.
