How can I improve my night vision while driving?

Driving at night is inherently more dangerous than driving during the day, largely due to limited visibility. Even with perfect vision, the dark can make it challenging to see lane markings, signs, pedestrians, parked vehicles and wildlife. According to Transport Canada, there were 1,964 traffic fatalities and 9,261 serious bodily injuries recorded. The National Safety Council also reports that 50% of traffic fatalities occur at night.

This guide covers different vehicle setups, vision-friendly habits, when to see an optometrist and what your insurance company covers, so you can drive safely at night. Key takeaways:

• Clean your headlights and windows and make sure your headlights are properly aimed toward oncoming vehicles for the best visibility.

• Reduce glare by dimming your dashboard lights, using dimming mirrors and by looking at the right edge of the lane instead of directly at oncoming traffic.

• Take care of your eyes: If you notice worsening glare or difficulty seeing at night, see an optometrist immediately.

Why driving at night is difficult

The main difficulty of driving at night stems from the fact that it’s dark out, which significantly reduces your visibility. Wet roads and ice can amplify the glare from oncoming vehicle lights, streetlights and other reflective surfaces. Older and hazy headlights can further limit your visibility. You also need to factor in circadian rhythms that can contribute to fatigue, which peak during later hours of the night. In Canada specifically, longer winter nights, especially after daylight savings and rural roads with wildlife increase risk exposure even for the most experienced drivers.

Vehicle setup: Light, glass and mirrors

Here’s how you should set your vehicle up before driving at night to keep yourself and other drivers safe:

Headlights (aim and output)

If your headlights are tilted too far to the ground, you won’t get enough light while driving. If they are tilted too high to the sky, you run the risk of blinding oncoming drivers. Make sure that your headlights are positioned at the ideal angle to give you as much visibility as possible without affecting other drivers.

Additionally, aim to replace your headlight bulbs as a pair, rather than separately. Follow Transport Canada’s See and Be Seen Guide for more information on proper headlight use.

Fog lights and auxiliary lights (low beam headlights)

Use fog lights in foggy, heavy rain, snowy conditions and other bad weather only to prevent glare when it’s clear outside. In Ontario, the provincial government recommends turning on your low beams within 150 m of oncoming traffic and 60 m when following a vehicle ahead of you.

Glass and windshield wipers

Keep your passenger door windows, back windows, side mirrors, rearview mirrors and windshield clean to remove any buildup. Replace your windshield wiper blades every 6 to 12 months to avoid streaks.

Mirrors and dashboard

The lights on your dashboard can be distracting at the best times, but they become even more distracting at night. Dim them or turn them off completely and if you’re using a GPS navigation system, turn it onto night mode so you can better focus on the road.

Next, most rearview mirrors have night settings that can be turned on to minimize the brightness and glare of headlights behind you. The way that this night setting can be turned on varies between vehicles, so make sure to review your owner’s manual for further instructions.

Seeing better: eye-friendly habits to improve your night driving abilities

Even if you have the right vehicle setup, your own visual habits also play a role in how clearly you see at night. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Cut glare and protect adaptation

Avoid staring directly at the oncoming headlights. Instead, if you notice a car approaching in the distance, look just to the right of the car instead of straight ahead as it passes you. Focus your eyes on the right-hand lane marker. Staring directly into bright headlights can temporarily impact your vision in a significant way. It can also make it harder to adjust your eyes back to the dark afterward.

If you wear glasses, avoid yellow or tinted night driving glasses as they can actually reduce visibility. Aim for reflective coatings instead.

Keep a safe distance from other drivers and reduce speed

Drive 5 to 10 kilometres below the speed limit on unlit country roads and dark roads with minimal illumination. Maintain a longer driving distance between you and other vehicles ahead and scan your surroundings frequently.

High beams and etiquette

If you are driving on a dark road in a rural area with no street lights or in an area with no traffic, experts recommend turning on your high beams. As soon as you notice another car coming your way, flick them off temporarily to avoid blinding the other driver.

Many new cars nowadays are equipped with automatic high beams that use sensors to detect when the high beams should be activated based on traffic and light conditions. They will then automatically switch to low beams when another car approaches.

Seating and posture

Adjust the height of your seat so you can see the road comfortably and try to position yourself so you’re not looking directly into the headlights of taller vehicles like SUVs or trucks.

Fatigue and impairment: stay alert

According to the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), driver fatigue is a key and often overlooked factor in traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities. Although it’s not exclusive to nighttime, many drivers grow tired as the sun goes down, which means that in addition to increasing your visibility, you will also want to increase your alertness at night. Signs of fatigue include:

• Yawning

• Heavy eyelids

• Drifting between lanes

• Micro-sleeping that lasts approximately 15 seconds or less, according to the Sleep Foundation

To avoid driving while tired, have something to snack on in your car or drink something that will keep you awake, such as a cup of coffee. Other tips to keep up energy levels behind the wheel include singing or talking aloud to yourself, listening to music or a podcast or rolling down the window to let in the fresh air.

If you notice that your eyelids are becoming heavy, the safest thing you can do is pull over until you feel refreshed and ready to drive. Aim for 15 to 20-minute breaks. For longer drives, rest every 90 to 120 minutes to stay awake.

Health and vision: when to see an optometrist

Some people with vision problems may find that driving in the dark exacerbates them. For example, night blindness, or nyctalopia, is when a person has trouble seeing at night or in dimly lit areas, taking their eyes longer to adapt. Some common signs of night blindness or general difficulty driving at night include:

• Trouble seeing lane markings and street signs

• Judging distance and speed

• Finding that you must slow down at night

• Incoming headlights are bothering you

Experiencing glare at night can worsen if you have uncorrected vision issues like dry eyes, glaucoma, cataracts or eye changes due to diabetes. According to Mayo Clinic, those with cataracts are known to have a sensitivity to light and glare, causing issues like blurred vision and halos, which make driving at night a lot more difficult. Ultimately, the best way to improve your night vision is to schedule eye exams with an optometrist regularly.

Medical disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only.

Weather conditions, roads and wildlife in Canada

Weather conditions, animals, and more can be unpredictable at times. Here's what you need to know:

Wildlife

An important part of driving defensively at night is staying alert for wildlife. According to ICBC, wildlife collisions remain a significant risk in British Columbia, with more than 112,000 wildlife crashes recorded between 2015 and 2024, including 24 fatal incidents. In 2024 alone, there were 12,519 crashes involving wildlife across the province. Similarly, Capital Current reports approximately 14,000 large-animal crashes annually in Ontario. Ontario Nature reports that to avoid collisions when night driving:

• Scan the road ahead constantly when driving at night and stay alert.

• Keep a lookout for glowing eyes on the road when driving at night.

• Check oncoming lights that may be signalling you to slow down.

• Slow down when you see a dead animal on the road. Animals travel in packs and there may be others nearby.

Snow and black ice

Wet roadways can increase glare. When driving in heavy snow and in icy conditions, use your fog lights and slow down. Keep extra space between you and other vehicles. Use your vehicle’s HVAC system to defrost your windshield.

Route choices

Two-lane highways are more hazardous at night because you have to deal with glare from oncoming headlights. Try and take larger roads, like major highways, instead if you can.

5-minute pre-drive night driving setup for a safe driving checklist

Here are actions you should take before your drive to ensure that you're prepared:

• Keep your side mirrors and rearview mirrors clean

• Remove any obstructions on your dashboard to avoid distracted driving at night

• Clear headlights, taillights and fog lights

• Dim your dashboard and other screens

• Adjust your headlights and check your high beams

• Drive safely and slowly, leave more space in your following distance

• Wipe the inside of your windshield to remove moisture droplets

• Adjust your seat and mirrors

• Plan your route ahead of time

• Make sure you’re well rested

Common mistakes to avoid

Some common mistakes you should avoid when driving at night include:

Car insurance: what’s covered and smart add-ons

When it comes to your auto insurance, here are some policies you need to pay attention to:

• Comprehensive and collision (optional): Comprehensive typically cover wildlife impact, glass damage, theft, vandalism, fire and weather-related damage, subject to your policy terms, conditions and deductibles.

• Roadside assistance: This offers help for dead batteries, flat tires, lockouts, low fuel and towing.

• Glass endorsements: Some providers allow you to add glass endorsements to cover windshield repair and replacement.

• Safe driving discounts and telematics programs: May reward safe drivers with discounts and lower premiums.

Contact BrokerLink today

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FAQs on driving at night

Are yellow “night” glasses good or bad?

They’re bad. They do not improve hazard detection.

When should I use high beams in Canada?

On dark roads with no other drivers. Dim them within 150 metres of oncoming traffic.

Why does rain/wet pavement make glare worse?

It can make surfaces more reflective.

How often should I replace wiper blades?

Every 6 to 12 months.

When should I see an optometrist about night driving?

See an optometrist if you see halos, starbursts or a decline in your ability to drive at night.

Do auto-dimming mirrors really help?

Yes, they reduce glare from following cars.

Is wildlife damage a comprehensive claim?

Yes. Wildlife damage is typically covered under comprehensive insurance, subject to your policy terms and deductibles.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.