Night driving safety tips for Canadian roads

When the sun goes down, the risks on the road go up. It’s a simple fact that nighttime driving is a lot more dangerous than driving during daylight hours.

Risks like impairment, speeding, and distraction are significant factors in fatal crashes in Canada, and nighttime driving can make all of these risks even worse. Visibility drops, fatigue kicks in, and it’s harder to spot hazards, not to mention that rural roads without good lighting are especially dangerous. In fact, more than half of all fatal crashes in Canada take place on rural roads, according to Transport Canada.

Whether you’re a brand-new driver or someone who’s been behind the wheel for decades, driving at night brings its own set of challenges. Reduced visibility, fatigue, impaired drivers, and even wildlife on rural roads are all more common after dark. Add in unpredictable weather like heavy fog, rain, or icy patches, and it’s clear that nighttime driving requires your full attention and a different approach compared to daytime travel. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the risks and give you practical tips for driving at night in Canada.

Top ten safety tips for safe driving at night

1. Drive defensively

At night, you can’t always predict what’s up ahead, especially with reduced visibility. Defensive driving means:

• Maintaining a safe following distance

• Following the posted speed limit or adjusting your speed appropriately

• Staying alert for sudden movements

• Anticipating other drivers’ mistakes

Imagine you're driving through a dimly lit stretch of Highway 1 in British Columbia; staying alert and following safe driving practices could give you those critical extra seconds to react.

2. Don't drive at night when you're tired

Fatigue is one of the biggest dangers when driving at night. Your body naturally wants to wind down after dark, and tiredness can sneak up on you. If you find yourself blinking too much, missing turns, or weaving into oncoming traffic, it’s time to pull over.

According to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, approximately 20% of fatal collisions in Canada involve driver fatigue. So take regular breaks, and don’t try to “push through” when you’re drowsy. It’s not worth the risk.

3. Never drive under the influence

It should go without saying: never get behind the wheel if you've been drinking or using impairing substances. Impairment already accounts for 23% of fatal crashes in Canada, according to Transport Canada. Driving under the influence leads to slower reaction times, impaired judgment, blurred vision, and reduced coordination.

Picture yourself leaving a late-night gathering in Ottawa—make the smart call to grab a cab or rideshare instead. If you know you'll be out late and enjoying a few drinks, plan your ride home in advance. Don’t assume “just a little” won’t affect your driving because it absolutely can.

4. Increase your visibility

Seeing clearly is everything at night. Dirty windows, smudged mirrors, or streaky windshields can scatter light and create dangerous glare. Before a nighttime drive, take a minute to clean off your mirrors, headlights, and windshield inside and out. Keep a microfiber cloth in your car for quick cleanups or sudden smudges; they can become big problems when hit by oncoming headlights. Also, be sure to drive with your interior lights off, as they can make it more difficult for your eyes to adjust to the darkness outside.

5. Avoid distractions

It only takes a second of looking away for an accident to happen, and that second is even more dangerous at night. Imagine you’re adjusting your GPS while cruising down a quiet rural highway in Ontario. You only took your eyes off the road for a few seconds, but when you return them to the road, there's suddenly a deer 50 feet in front of you.

According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, taking just five seconds to send or read a text while driving at 88.5 km/h means you’re effectively travelling the length of a football field without looking at the road. So, to avoid penalties for distracted driving, set up your route and playlist before you drive, and don’t text, fiddle with your phone, or get too caught up in conversations.

6. Be extra vigilant when it comes to wildlife

And speaking of deer. Animals like deer, moose, and elk are most active at dawn, dusk, and nighttime. If you’re driving through forested areas in Alberta, New Brunswick or northern Ontario, scan the sides of the road and watch for those telltale glowing eyes. Make sure to slow down in wildlife zones, and don’t swerve sharply if an animal appears. It’s safer to brake firmly and stay in your lane if possible.

7. Adjust your headlights properly

Misaligned headlights can leave you struggling to see or can even blind oncoming drivers. If your headlights seem too dim or uneven, they might need adjusting. Have them checked during your next oil change or DIY it if you’re comfortable. Don’t drive around with foggy or damaged headlight covers, as they can seriously limit what you can see. Knowing how to use your headlights properly, from high beams to daytime running lights, can make driving much safer.

8. Know when to use your high beams

High beams are great for dark, empty roads because they give you a much better view. Just make sure to dim your high beams when a vehicle approaches within 150 metres from the opposite direction (it’s the law in Canada). Don’t blind other drivers with your bright lights. It’s not just rude; it’s dangerous.

9. Wear a seatbelt

This one’s simple but critical. Even the safest drivers can’t control everything, especially at night when impaired or drowsy drivers are more common. Buckling up could make the difference between minor injuries and something far worse if you're involved in a crash. According to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, seat belts worn correctly can reduce the chances of death in a collision by 47% and the chances of serious injury by 52%. Make it a habit to put on your seatbelt the second you get in the car. Don’t assume it’s just a short drive; many accidents happen close to home.

10. Carry a roadside emergency kit

Imagine getting stranded on a dark rural road without the right supplies. That's why it's important to have a roadside emergency kit in your car or trunk. While having a cell phone is great in an emergency, it might not always have service.

A basic kit should include:

• A flashlight

• Extra batteries

• Jumper cables

• A first-aid kit

• Reflective triangle or road flares

Check your kit every few months to make sure everything’s still usable. For even more tips for driving at night, reach out to a BrokerLink advisor today.

Canadian-specific challenges for driving at night

Driving at night anywhere has its risks, but up here in Canada, we face some unique challenges that make nighttime travel even trickier:

Glare from snow and ice

Fresh snow and frozen surfaces can reflect headlights and streetlights right back at you, which creates a blinding glare. This can cut down your visibility significantly.

Here’s a tip: keep your windshield clean and wear polarized sunglasses even at night if the glare is overwhelming. And if you're being blinded by glare from oncoming traffic, shift your eyes down, using the edge of the road or lane markings as a guide until the vehicle has passed.

Black ice

Black ice often forms on rural roads after temperatures drop, especially here in Canada, where our winters often drop well below 0 °C. It’s nearly invisible and can cause a sudden loss of control. If the road ahead looks black and shiny, be careful of black ice. Always slow down in the evenings when temperatures hover around freezing, even if the road looks dry.

Wildlife

Wildlife crossings are another serious concern. Moose and deer are most active at dawn, dusk, and nighttime. In provinces with substantial moose populations like Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, moose collisions are unfortunately common and can be deadly. According to the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), between 2000 and 2014, there were 236 fatalities in Canada resulting from collisions involving moose, accounting for over half of all wildlife-vehicle collision (WVC) deaths during that period. There were also 123 fatal accidents involving deer. Always stay alert for wildlife signs and scan the road edges carefully.

Rural areas

There are also many rural roads across Canada with poor street lighting. In the Prairies, for example, it’s not unusual to drive long stretches in total darkness. Make sure your headlights are properly aimed and use your high beams when it’s safe to do so.

Extreme weather

Canada sees a lot of extreme weather, like thick fog, heavy snow, freezing rain, and extreme thunderstorms, all within a single season. Fog, in particular, is common during nighttime and early morning hours, and it significantly reduces visibility, increasing the risk of collision.

For example, in September 1999, Southwestern Ontario between London and Windsor saw an 87-vehicle pile-up along Highway 401 in the early morning hours due to dense fog, resulting in eight deaths and 45 injuries, according to the CBC. Always check the forecast before you leave, and be ready for conditions to change quickly.

Technology to help with night driving in Canada

The good news is that you don’t have to tackle nighttime driving alone. Many modern vehicles include smart technology that can make driving after dark much safer. Here are some technology options that can help with night driving in Canada:

Adaptive headlights

Let’s start with adaptive headlights. These aren’t your average beams; they actually pivot as you turn, helping you see around curves and corners. That’s a big win on winding rural roads or snowy highways where wildlife or ice patches might be waiting just out of view.

Automatic high beams

Automatic high beams adjust themselves based on traffic, switching to low beam when another vehicle approaches and flipping back when the road’s clear. With automatic high beams turned on, you’ll never accidentally blind an oncoming driver again or forget to turn them on in the first place.

Night vision systems

Night vision systems are another high-tech feature starting to show up in more vehicles. Using infrared sensors, they can detect people, animals, or obstacles beyond the reach of your headlights and alert you before you see them with your own eyes.

Anti-glare rearview mirrors

Also called auto-dimming mirrors, these adjust automatically to reduce headlight glare from vehicles behind you. It’s a small upgrade that can make a big difference when someone’s driving with high beams on your tail.

Safety features

And don’t forget about blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warnings. Both can be lifesavers at night when visibility drops or when night driving fatigue starts to set in.

Not all cars come with these features, but if you're in the market for a new vehicle or even upgrading your current one, it’s worth checking what’s available. A little technology can go a long way toward keeping you safe on Canada’s roads after dark.

What to keep in your vehicle if you spend a lot of time driving at night

If you’re often on the road after dark, whether it’s for long commutes, weekend road trips, or late-night shifts, it pays to be prepared. Breakdowns and emergencies are stressful enough in daylight, let alone on a dark, empty highway. Here’s a handy list of things you’ll want to keep in your car for safer nighttime travel:

• Flashlight

• Extra batteries

• Jumper cables

• Blanket

• Reflective vest

• Reflective triangle

• Emergency flares or LED hazard lights

• First aid kit

• Portable phone charger or power bank

• Your auto insurance contact card

Contact BrokerLink for more tips on driving at night

Driving at night can be stressful, especially when you consider the increased risk factors that come with doing so. From fatigue and impaired drivers to compromised night vision and active wildlife, all motorists must exercise caution when driving in the dark. Thankfully, there are several ways that drivers can stay safe when operating a car at night.

If you want more advice on nighttime driving, contact BrokerLink today. Our licensed insurance brokers can explain good driving habits and strategies that can be adopted to make driving safer at night. Plus, we can provide you with a free car insurance quote and offer a professional opinion on what coverages make sense for your needs.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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