Whether you drive the same route at the same time every day to work and back or you are more of an adventurer and celebrate different types of roads trips on occasion, we Americans love to drive. What type of driver do you most relate with and how can you maintain your safety during the different times throughout the day? Hopefully, these tips will give you insight into your driving time personality and keep you safe as well.
- Morning Sunrise Driver – Ahhh, there is nothing quite like being on the road before anyone else! But because of that quietness, you might want to make sure you have had your morning cup of coffee and have wiped the sleep from your eyes before you get out on the road. If you are driving east in the early morning hours, you will get a bird’s eye view of the sunrise. As glorious as it can be, you are also in line for possibly blinding sun rays. Dawn hours are prime periods of time when the suns rays are likely to shine directly in your eyes as they are rising from the horizon. This is the time to use your cars sun visor as well as some great UV protectant sun shades.
- Rush Hour Addict – Depending on where you live, this can be the most stressful time to be in your car. Most of us are tired from a long day at work and just want to get home, the gym or the local bar for “happy hour”. Other drivers are usually speeding through the streets and are less likely to give the right of way to anyone else on the road. Be mindful of these tensions and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination. This time of day is usually when road rage can happen so save your adrenaline for the gym and breathe deeply if other drivers are getting under your skin.
- Evening Sunset Driver – Just like those early risers, sunset drivers need to look out for direct sun rays when the sun sets behind the horizon and be ready with your shades. As the sun sets, your eyes will adjust to the changing light conditions and your peripheral vision, and depth perception will shift accordingly. Be mindful of these vision changes and allow your eyes to adjust appropriately without taking your eyes off the road.
- Night Owl - If you are out on the open road by yourself or in the middle of big city nightlife, nighttime driving has its own challenges too. Make sure all of your lights are working properly so you don’t miss a thing that comes your way. Speeding is bad anytime but it’s even worse when you do it during periods of reduced visibility in the dark. Make sure you’re not too tired to drive. Stay alert and avoid drifting into sleep and off the road. Be mindful that other drivers could be tired and drifting toward you. Always drive defensively and stay alert.
