New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world to live in or visit. But with so many cars around, navigating the streets can be tricky when the sun goes down. That’s why we’ve put together some simple tips for driving in NYC at night so you can stay safe on the road!
Reduce Speed & Distance
Naturally, our visibility is limited when driving at night, even on well-lit streets. When driving on the crowded and busy streets of NYC, it can be tempting to hug the car in front of you, but you always want to give yourself more space when driving at night.
With limited visibility, you’ll have less time to react to unexpected events on the road, whether that’s a pedestrian or a sudden stop by the car in front of you. A car going just 20 mph takes about 20 feet to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied, so an extra foot of space can be the difference between a close call and a fender bender.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
It’s paramount that drivers in NYC stay aware of their surroundings, especially at night. Some areas of the city have higher crime rates or drunk driving, and it’s essential to keep these things in mind when driving. It’s a good idea to stay up to date on the safest neighborhoods to drive in Long Island, NYC and the surrounding areas.
Adjust Your Eye Focus
While driving through NYC, you’ll pass hundreds of oncoming cars and twice as many headlights. If your eyes linger too often on the headlights, you can impair your vision and limit your visibility even more so. It may feel unnatural, but divert your eyes to the right shoulder when a vehicle passes to preserve your sight. Get into the habit of doing it, and you won’t have to remind yourself.
Pro Tip
If you drive a lot at night, consider investing in nighttime driving glasses that protect your eyes.
Look Out for Pedestrians
In one of the world’s largest cities, there will be a lot of people walking around. Even in the daytime, you have to watch for pedestrians, but it’s more of a risk at night when your visibility is compromised.
There are plenty of crosswalks and intersections throughout the city, but don’t always assume that pedestrians will follow the rules. On busy sidewalks, keep an eye out for jaywalkers emerging from behind parked cars—it’s one of the most common vehicle accidents in the city.
Cut the Distractions
No matter where or what time of day you’re driving, it’s always a good idea to keep distractions to an absolute minimum. In NYC, it’s necessary to focus on your car and the road in front of you—and only those things at night.
Put your phone on “do not disturb,” and use the steering wheel controls for things like the radio so you can keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Keep our tips for driving in New York City at night in mind to stay safe on the road and prevent avoidable accidents and collisions.
New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world to live in or visit. But with so many cars around, navigating the streets can be tricky when the sun goes down. That’s why we’ve put together some simple tips for driving in NYC at night so you can stay safe on the road!
Reduce Speed & Distance
Naturally, our visibility is limited when driving at night, even on well-lit streets. When driving on the crowded and busy streets of NYC, it can be tempting to hug the car in front of you, but you always want to give yourself more space when driving at night.
With limited visibility, you’ll have less time to react to unexpected events on the road, whether that’s a pedestrian or a sudden stop by the car in front of you. A car going just 20 mph takes about 20 feet to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied, so an extra foot of space can be the difference between a close call and a fender bender.
Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
It’s paramount that drivers in NYC stay aware of their surroundings, especially at night. Some areas of the city have higher crime rates or drunk driving, and it’s essential to keep these things in mind when driving. It’s a good idea to stay up to date on the safest neighborhoods to drive in Long Island, NYC and the surrounding areas.
Adjust Your Eye Focus
While driving through NYC, you’ll pass hundreds of oncoming cars and twice as many headlights. If your eyes linger too often on the headlights, you can impair your vision and limit your visibility even more so. It may feel unnatural, but divert your eyes to the right shoulder when a vehicle passes to preserve your sight. Get into the habit of doing it, and you won’t have to remind yourself.
Pro Tip
If you drive a lot at night, consider investing in nighttime driving glasses that protect your eyes.
Look Out for Pedestrians
In one of the world’s largest cities, there will be a lot of people walking around. Even in the daytime, you have to watch for pedestrians, but it’s more of a risk at night when your visibility is compromised.
There are plenty of crosswalks and intersections throughout the city, but don’t always assume that pedestrians will follow the rules. On busy sidewalks, keep an eye out for jaywalkers emerging from behind parked cars—it’s one of the most common vehicle accidents in the city.
Cut the Distractions
No matter where or what time of day you’re driving, it’s always a good idea to keep distractions to an absolute minimum. In NYC, it’s necessary to focus on your car and the road in front of you—and only those things at night.
Put your phone on “do not disturb,” and use the steering wheel controls for things like the radio so you can keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Keep our tips for driving in New York City at night in mind to stay safe on the road and prevent avoidable accidents and collisions.
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