Experts Share Top 5 Driving Tips for the UK’s Darker Nights

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, Davanti Tyres, one of the UK’s leading mid-range tyre brands, has put together some top tips for driving at night now that winter is well and truly with us bringing with it wet weather, icy road conditions, poor visibility and much shorter days.

This means drivers will need to adjust to this new norm for the next few months as the UK’s unpredictable weather can easily catch us unaware, so we need to be prepared.

1. Check your lights

Make sure that all your vehicle’s lights are working properly, both at the front and the rear and replace any bulbs as necessary. The best way to do this is to turn on your headlights and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned, as well as the high beam and be sure to also check the indicators and parking lights.

Remember to check your rear brake lights too. If you don’t have anyone to help, then reverse your car close to a wall and then depress the brake pedal. You’ll then be able to see if the brake lights come on against the wall or side of the house. If your brake lights are not working, it could result in a fine if you are pulled over by the police.

2. Is it time for an eye test?

Another important thing to consider with the darker nights is when you last had an eye test. With poor light you might find you are struggling to see traffic signs properly, especially when confronted with glare from oncoming vehicles. So, if it’s time for an eye test, now might be a good time so you are safe and well prepared for driving at night.

3. Check your tyres

With tyres being the only connection between your car and the road, neglecting them could be potentially dangerous and costly. It is normally recommended that you check your car’s tyre pressures once a month, so if you haven’t checked them recently, then now would be a good time. Tyres can become deflated if they aren’t checked regularly, resulting in excessive and uneven wearing of the tread.

So, the other thing to check is your tyres’ tread as this improves your cars’ grip, handling and of course your safety. The 20p test is a simple, quick and easy way of checking your tyre tread level. Simply take a 20p coin and insert it into the tread grooves on each tyre. If you can’t see the outer band on the coin, your tyres are above the legal limit.

At the same time, it’s worth checking for any visible perforation, cuts or deformation which will make the tyre unsafe to drive on.

4. Keep the front windscreen and windows clean

In cold, wet weather, the inside of windscreens are susceptible to steaming up, Car heaters tend to blow dirty air at the glass, causing a hazy film to build up on the inside, while the outside of the screen is likely to get more mud and dirt build up, especially when gritters have been out, with salt and spray from other vehicles having an impact on your visibility.

So, make sure you clean and demist the inside of your windscreen and side windows before you set off, as well as checking you have plenty of screen wash to help the vehicle wipers clear away any dirt whilst you’re out driving on these darker nights.

5. Consider your tyre choice

Depending on where you live, all-season tyres which are built for year-round performance, might make sense, eliminating the need to change tyres between seasons.

Whilst there is plenty of choice, Davanti Tyres have an all-season car tyre, the Alltoura 4-Seasons, which performs optimally in temperate climates like the UK, giving you superior control in dry braking, wet handling and aquaplaning.

If, however, you are planning on driving in temperatures below 7°C, driving on particularly wet, icy or snowy roads, particularly if you are heading to Europe for some winter skiing, then a specific winter tyre may be a good option. Davanti’s Wintoura range has been tested deep within the Arctic Circle and is built for harsh winter conditions, providing greater control on ice and snow.

To find out more about Davanti Tyres and its range of all-season and winter tyres, ideal for the UK’s darker nights, please visit: www.davanti-tyres.com.

Author Bio:

Simon Burrell is a UK-based motoring and travel journalist and editor, a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and former saloon car racing driver.

Photographs courtesy of Davanti Tyres