Driving when it’s dark out can be a dangerous endeavor.
Even if you drive with all your lights on, you’ll likely only see up to a few feet ahead of you. You can only rely on whatever light sources you have installed on your vehicle, and most will only give you a few seconds at best to react to hazards and obstacles.
Fortunately, investing in these must-have accessories can help you reduce the risks while you’re on the road at night.
Driving Lights
One of the handiest accessories for night driving is driving lights.
Driving lights project light in a cone that’s longer and wider than the one projected by headlights. They’re typically attached to the front grille, letting drivers see more and further away.
Headlights are limited when it comes to illuminating your surroundings. Low-beam headlights can let you see around 200 feet in front of you, while high-beam headlights light up up to 400 feet. Though it’s possible to upgrade your headlight bulbs to make them stronger, driving lights are a good alternative.
Driving lights can extend the reach of high-beam headlights. And, with these aftermarket accessories installed, you’ll have a lot of time to react to obstacles.
Fog Lights
Another essential accessory for night driving is fog lights – a handy set of lights can illuminate your surroundings when visibility is low.
Fog lights are used to help drivers see through fog, smoke, and heavy dust.
Light from normal headlights struggles to penetrate such conditions, which can make the light disperse and scatter. Not only does this make it harder for drivers to see, but other drivers will also be unable to tell if a vehicle is approaching.
Driving at night already hampers visibility enough. What more if it’s dark out and it’s foggy?
That’s why fog lights are a smart investment, especially if you live somewhere foggy or have plans to drive through places prone to this weather condition.
However, bear in mind that fog lights are very powerful, meaning it might be illegal to use them in populated areas, such as cities and busy highways. You probably won’t have to use your fog lights often, but it’s always better to have them handy.
LED Light Bars
When it comes to driving at night, LED light bars are a must-have accessory.
Unlike headlights, which illuminate whatever’s in front of you, LED light bars significantly improve visibility all around you. They’re typically customizable, meaning you can change the color of the light according to personal preferences.
Many drivers appreciate having the ability to personalize their rides but changing the color of the light also has its practical uses. Clear “white” lights improve visibility, while amber lights help you see through fog, rain, and other weather conditions that might obscure your vision.
Bear in mind that LED light bars are typically used for off-road driving. It’s illegal to use them on highways and cities in some states because of how powerful they are.
LED light bars are often bright enough to hamper the visibility of drivers and passersby, making them disruptive in busier and well-populated areas.
Offroad Lights
Another accessory for night driving, especially for adventurous drivers who like traversing the wilderness, is offroad lights.
Offroad lights help drivers take in their surroundings when driving away from the beaten path. They’re usually installed on top of the passenger cabin, either by themselves or mounted on a light rack.
Different colors serve different purposes, so you’ll need to pick the one that suits your lifestyle the most.
White offroad lights, also known as clear offroad lights, are good at illuminating your surroundings but offer poor visibility in certain conditions. On the other hand, yellow offroad lights are much more effective at helping drivers see through fog, snow, and rain.
More often than not, yellow offroad lights are superior to clear lights because they’re adaptable and better suited for adventurous, off-road driving.
Dash Cameras
Dash cameras or dash cams are mounted on the dashboard to record everything that happens on the road. They’re a must-have for drivers who drive at night, especially those equipped with night vision technology, which can record whatever is happening in front of you in total darkness.
If you get into an accident, having a recording of the incident will help you determine the cause later. This is especially handy when you need to prove that another vehicle bumped into you or if you need to prove that you’re not attempting insurance fraud.
A lot of accidents can happen at night, and installing a dashcam can help you cover all your bases. Similarly, you can get backup cameras to help you see what’s behind your vehicle.
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
