How To Stay Safe When Driving By Yourself At Night

Have you ever noticed how roads and streets seem to change when nighttime comes? If you often commute, then you must have experienced driving on well-lighted roads and also very dim streets. Once the rush hour is over, you'll also notice a significant decrease in traffic. Sometimes, you might even find yourself driving all alone on a dark, empty highway. To some, driving at night is not an issue. Still, everyone should work on being safer because so many crimes occur in deserted roads and even parking lots.

According to FBI statistics, in the U.S., one motor vehicle is stolen every 44 seconds, and this is a cause for concern for all vehicle owners. Not only are cars being stolen while being parked, but some are taken when these are running idle in a well-lit and crowded area. For instance, this can happen when a driver gets out for a few minutes to buy a pack of cigarettes. There are a number of auto-related crimes, and it's a must to take measures to protect yourself from the dangers that such incidents could bring. So below are some tips that could help enhance your safety, especially when you're driving alone at night.

1. Do not leave your car while it is still running. As mentioned earlier, some individuals get out of their vehicles while these are still running in order to buy something. This is not safe especially when you're out at night. So, when stopping at a convenience store to get some mints, turn your engine off and lock your doors before going inside a store. Don't leave your keys in your car too.

2. Be very cautious when you're being asked to pull over by an unmarked “police” car. It is easy to spot an unmarked police car – it usually does not have fixed flashing police lights and there is no loud siren too. In some states, these are used to discourage traffic violators. However, there are also very serious issues about safety since police impersonators also use unmarked vehicles. So, what do you do? If you see an unmarked car following you and signaling you to stop, the best option is to slow down and continue driving until you arrive in a busier street or highway, or until you find yourself in front of a police station or any public area. However, do not run away from a police car even though it is unmarked as this is an offense in some states. When you get into trouble for this, contact an attorney that specializes in automobile cases.

3. Always be alert to see if someone is following you. It is paranoid to think that someone could be following you. But there are times when you have to rely on your gut feelings. If you feel that a car is trailing you, continue driving until you reach a police station or any well-lit and crowded area.

4. Drive during the day. If you are on a road trip by yourself, do the driving during daytime. Before night falls, make sure that you're already resting in your safe and nice hotel or motel. So, in order to be safer, plan your trip ahead of time. Before embarking on your journey, map out every detail, like what roads you'll be travelling on and where you're going to be staying.

5. Be aware of your surroundings. It can be tempting to text or call someone when driving. But avoid any distractions as these can get you into an accident and you won't be able to pay close attention to what's happening around you too. Be vigilant and don't put yourself in a vulnerable position.

About the author:

This blog post was contributed by Claire Taylor, a full-time freelancer who often writes about car accidents and auto safety. Click here to learn more about these important issues.