5 Safety Tips for Driving at Night

There’s something deceptively calm about the night. The roads seem emptier, the air feels cooler, and the temptation to speed up just a little can be hard to resist. Yet behind that stillness lies danger. 

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), more fatal crashes occur on Nigerian roads at night than in the daytime, largely because of poor visibility, fatigue, bad roads, and limited emergency response services.

The agency has repeatedly warned  motorists to avoid late-night travel except when absolutely necessary.

In this article, Tribune Online examines 5 tips for driving at night 

1. Ensure proper lighting

Lighting can make the difference between life and tragedy. Turn on your headlights before sunset and leave them on until well after sunrise. It helps other drivers see you better during twilight hours. Ensure that your headlamps, brake lights, and indicators all work  perfectly and are clean. When driving on unlit highways or rural roads, use your full beam only when necessary, and dim it when there’s an oncoming car to avoid dazzling other road users. If another driver’s headlights blind you, don’t stare directly into them; shift your focus s

lightly to the left side of the road until your eyes adjust again.

2. Watch against fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most underestimated threats to night driving. Drowsy drivers are nearly as dangerous as drunk ones. 

Your body naturally expects to rest at night, so if you must drive, plan for regular breaks. Pull over at a safe, well-lit area every couple of hours, stretch your legs, and take deep breaths of fresh air. Drinking coffee or water can help, but nothing replaces actual rest. If possible, share the driving with someone else, so you don’t risk falling asleep at the wheel.

One of the gravest dangers of night driving is drowsiness. The body’s circadian rhythms work against you. The FRSC regularly link continuous night journeys to fatigue, loss of control, and crashes.

3. Get your eyes tested regularly

The first thing to note is that your eyes and visibility must be in top condition. Night driving is unforgiving to weak vision. Have your eyesight tested regularly because issues like glaucoma or cataracts can quietly impair your ability to see in low light. Avoid wearing tinted or dark glasses at night—many motorists make this mistake, thinking it shields them from glare, but it only reduces visibility further. Keep your windscreen and mirrors clean, as smudges or dirt can scatter light from oncoming vehicles and make it harder to see clearly.

4. Maintain a steady speed

Speed management is a silent lifesaver. The night invites haste because the roads look freer—but that illusion can kill. Reduced visibility means you can’t anticipate obstacles as easily as in the day, so drive at a steady, moderate pace. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking. A consistent speed gives those behind you a predictable pattern to follow and gives you time to react to unexpected hazards, such as animals crossing, cyclists without reflectors, or broken-down vehicles without warning triangles.

5. Always prepare ahead

Lastly, preparation is key. Before setting out, check your tyres, brakes, wipers, battery, and lights. Keep your fuel tank at least half full—running out of petrol in the middle of nowhere at 2 a.m. is a risk no one should take. Have emergency numbers saved on your phone, including those of the FRSC, your mechanic, or local towing services. If your vehicle breaks down, pull safely off the road, turn on your hazard lights, and set up reflective triangles to alert other drivers.