What to do to avoid being blinded by another car on the road: driver's guide

When street lighting was turned off in Ukraine, the problem of being blinded by the headlights of an oncoming car became especially acute. In complete darkness, they seem even brighter and cut your eyes very hard. Even low beams can be too bright. That's why it's important to know how to protect yourself from being blinded on the road.

Lifehacker has collected the most effective and proven tips.

Be proactive

When you see a car coming towards you with its headlights on, slow down if possible. This will give you a little more room to react and maneuver appropriately. If you are driving on a multi-lane road, move to the far right lane – this will put you as far away from the oncoming car as possible. What you should never do in such a situation is to flash your high beams back. This makes the situation many times more dangerous.

Look to the side

To avoid being blinded, look away from the light source. You don't have to look away from the road. This is also dangerous. But at least don't look directly at the oncoming headlights. The chicken blindness that such eye contact can cause can be quite long-lasting. Try just looking at the right side of the road. This way, you'll keep your peripheral vision in check and avoid any eye damage.

Adjust the rearview mirrors

If you see high beams behind your car, use the night mode function of your rearview mirrors. Almost all cars have it now, so check with your car manufacturer to find out what it is. This mode prevents glare from blinding the driver.

Dodge

If you can swerve so that you don't cross into a blinding light source, do so. It may take you longer to get to your destination, but you'll be safer. Avoid cars with bright lights driving behind you and change lanes to avoid being blinded by oncoming traffic as much as possible.

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