DRIVE LIKE A PRO at Night with These Expert Tips

[@JohnNorris411]

Graveyard shift truck driver here, If you have not done so already maybe you could do a short video for your viewers on something dangerous I see on average 10 times per night on the dark highway. Newer cars that have daytime running lights. Cars that have their headlights on at night but the driver has no idea that his running lights are basically off. You have headlights but your tail lights are off, Many of you are completely blacked out at night. You are in serious danger of being rear ended by a much faster vehicle that can not see you. Please make sure your lights switch is ON, get out of your car and visually check your rear once in a while. A couple other safety things... If you have a flat on the highway, try to find an exit to get off on, you can get in the shoulder and drive very slowly and limp your car to an exit, yes you have a flat but you still have a wheel, you can still roll. You might damage a rim but it is a small price to pay for safety, I have seen more than a couple bodies under yellow tarps that were hit while trying to fix a flat on the side of the road, I have an uncle that was killed a few years ago after getting out of his car on the side of the highway after a light fender bender. If you must get out of your vehicle on the shoulder, do not use driver side doors. Slide over and get in and out on the passenger side. I even do this in my rig if I am broke down. But please make sure you know how to use your cars headlights/driving lights, make sure you are not blacked out. Side note on the mention of you eating carrots to fight drowsiness at night, I drive graveyard, During the summer I am doing 12 to 14hr shifts 7 days a week for months. I do get tired now and then on the long runs. I do coffee sometimes, Energy drinks, If I get truly drowsey I will call dispatch and take off the shift early for safety. But one thing that really works for me for some reason, Really wakes me right up and gets my focus back is sunflower seeds. Just the act of working a cheek full of seeds does something in the brain and wakes me right the ** up better than coffee or energy drinks. I always keep a small jar of them in my lunch kit just in case I need them. I do not know the science behind it but it works, I consider them part of my safety kit. If they do not work I know it is time to call it a night and let dispatch know I am getting drowsy and cutting it for the day. My company is an ag company with hundreds of drivers running around the clock and they are very cool about it and just say OK and never give me any hassle about it.

[@smartdrivetest]

Yes, most drivers rely on the "AUTO" setting on their headlights and forget to turn these on to activate the taillights - especially in low light conditions such as rain. And you're even more correct about stopping on the side of the road. It is a dangerous place...even for police and service vehicles with flashing light. Thanks for your insight. All the very best, Cheers Rick

[@midnyte6019]

I took my driver's test today and passed! Thank you so much for your videos they were very helpful.

[@smartdrivetest]

That's awesome news! What did you do to celebrate your success my friend? See this video to keep yourself safe in the coming months: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGLLc31qbtiLY9U Drop us a note if you have questions. Cheers Rick

[@midnyte6019]

@smartdrivetest I went out to eat with my family. I will be buying my own car soon too!

[@smartdrivetest]

A new vehicle is awesome news my friend. Congratulations. How's the driving going? Take care my friend. Cheers Rick

[@dominicfong6341]

I personally find it really helpful driving at night on an unfamiliar road is to refer to the map on the GPS to know where the road bends and the cross roads up ahead. Having the elevation display is also great to see if it is an uphill or downhill as to prevent accidentally gaining speed or driving into colder(drop in temperature) area such as the mountain top. The other thing that will help preserving your night vision is to wear sunglasses when going into bright places such as a gas station for example or a tunnel.

[@famousm6]

Just passed my drivers test 11/27/24 from CA

[@markobavdek9450]

Congratulations!

[@smartdrivetest]

That's awesome news my friend. How's the driving going? Drop us a note if you have questions, or we can help further. All the very best, Cheers Rick

[@Lin6055m]

Putting on cruise control gives me a feeling of not having control. Pedestrians dressed in dark clothing are hard to spot. The lights are horribly blinding. Driving in New Jersey on a daily basis

[@smartdrivetest]

Yes, there are places that cruise control is not going to work my friend, like heavy traffic for example. However, if you can keep space in front and know where the cancel button for the cruise is, that's going to help you out. And yes, pedestrians at night are definitely really hard to see in the darkness. Drop us a note if you have questions. All the very best, Cheers Rick

[@rosemilyndalumboy1501]

Thank you so much sir.may the Loving GOD always protect you..

[@smartdrivetest]

So nice of you. Drop us a note if you have questions, or we can help further. All the very best, Cheers Rick

[@ImKezo-kq4pq]

here in California I wake up at 4 am to go to work so it really is dark plus right now during winter it gets foggy Imagine having to driving in dark foggy streets to get to work it's dangerous I know but you have no option when you're job is miles away from where you live

[@RikerJackson]

Hello Sir. I live in Wisconsin. I have a question about shoulder checks: Do you have to turn your entire body to do one? As in, do you need to get your left shoulder off the seat to do a right shoulder check? You see, my instructor is very strict. She also wants me to slow down in the middle of an uncontrolled intersection, and look only one way, and immediately get back up to speed. She also said that she’s never heard anyone call it a shoulder checks because she says directional check? I’m sorry for the long message, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could respond. Thank you! P.S.: She said my shoulder checks were terrible and I can’t help you.

[@smartdrivetest]

That's quite a story my friend. It sounds like your driving instructor is making stuff up - I've seen instructors do that over the years. I can't say I've ever heard it called a "directional check." A head check yes, but never a directional check. Here's the video for "shoulder checks:" kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJe4qmSwadaLrKM And no, you shouldn't be slowing down when moving through an uncontrolled intersection. You should be scanning and observing as you're approaching. Drop us a note if we can help further. Cheers Rick

[@RikerJackson]

⁠@@smartdrivetestYup. I even asked my buddy who had a different examiner say that you SHOULD NOT slow down in an uncontrolled intersection or dramatically turn your body when shoulder checking. Is there any way to talk to my local DMV about this? I am not sure who I would talk to… Wisconsin is weird.

[@smartdrivetest]

I’m guessing this is a DMV driving examiner? If so, don’t waste your time my friend. I know it sucks, but direct your energy to passing your next test. Drop us a note if we can help further. Cheers Rick

[@RikerJackson]

@@smartdrivetestNo, she is a behind the wheel driving instructor.

[@onemilkyway]

Not a truck driver but i rather drive at night. Just got to watch out for animals and deer.