As daylight savings time comes and goes, millions of people find themselves spending more of their driving time in the dark. This shift in light can have significant effects on your driving experience and safety. The absence of natural light during early morning and late evening commutes makes it harder for many drivers to see clearly, which increases the risk of accidents.

Here are 9 tips for seeing better when driving at night:

1. Keep Your Windshield Clean – A clean windshield can significantly improve visibility. Make sure to remove any smudges, streaks, or dirt both inside and out.

2. Regularly Check Your Headlights – Ensure that your headlights are properly aligned, as misaligned headlights can blind other drivers and reduce your own ability to see.

3. Dim Your Dashboard Lights – Excessive light from your dashboard can impair your night vision. Dim your dashboard to a level that allows you to still see the gauges without them being a distraction.

4. Use High Beams When Appropriate – Utilize high beam headlights when there are no oncoming vehicles to help increase visibility in particularly dark areas.

5. Take Breaks if You’re Tired – Driving at night is more challenging, and fatigue can make you less alert to hazards. Take regular breaks to stay sharp.

6. Wear Anti-reflective Glasses – If you wear glasses, using lenses with an anti-reflective coating can reduce glare from other vehicles and street lights.

7. Look Away From Oncoming Lights – Don’t look directly into the headlights of oncoming traffic; it can impair your night vision temporarily. Look slightly down and to the right edge of your lane.

8. Increase Following Distance – Increase your following distance beyond the daytime recommendation to give yourself more time to react under lower visibility conditions.

9. Ensure Proper Eye Health – Regular eye check-ups are crucial as vision impairments can worsen over time and may not be noticeable day by day.

Adhering to these tips not only improves your safety but also enhances comfort during those nighttime journeys affected by the time change.