visibility

Safe driving is a concern for every driver. If you’ve been asking yourself what you can do to ensure safe driving practices, then you know there are multiple ways to improve safety while you drive. One way to improve safety is to increase your visibility while driving. Greater visibility can help you see potentially dangerous situations, and assess changing conditions on the road ahead. If you’re looking for a way to ensure you arrive at your final destination safe and sound, then our 6 tips to improving visibility can help.

Keep your windshield clean

When it comes to visibility, we should start with the basics. A clean windshield leads to greater visibility and higher safety. A dirty windshield, on the other hand, can be dangerous. Dirty windshields are dangerous at night because street lights and oncoming headlights can reflect off of smudges and haze – creating “stars” in the driver’s eyes. You can avoid all of that by cleaning your windshield every time you fill up on gas.

Inspect your windshield wipers to improve visibility

Cleaning your windshield can help you improve visibility, but your wipers are also essential for a clear view while driving. Your wiper blades can dull over time and leave your windshield dirty which creates visibility issues while you drive. We recommend replacing your windshield wiper blades every 6 months – so if it’s been a while, make sure you get this done. While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to check on that windshield wiper fluid to make sure it’s filled to the proper levels.

Clean your headlights

Dirt and debris can accumulate on your headlights causing them to be dimmer when you need them for night time driving. An easy fix is to clean them regularly so they are ready to go at night. While you’re cleaning them, it’s also a good idea to make sure they are working and replace any burned out bulbs.

Better visibility by repairing chips and cracks

It’s happened to the best of us. We’re driving along and suddenly a small rock flies into the windshield leaving us with a small chip or crack. What may seem minor can become a major impediment to your visibility. Those small chips can develop into windshield-wide cracks in an instant, so we recommend getting them repaired as soon as possible.

Uncover your windows

Whether you are intentionally or unintentionally covering your windows, this can be a visibility issue. If you’ve installed sun shades, it’s a good idea to make sure they are rolled up before you hit the road. Also, if you’ve been storing or transporting boxes and other personal items, we recommend packing them on either side of the backseat and trunk area of an SUV. This means leaving the middle clear so you can see out the back. If your hanging clothes are blocking your view, you can invest in a hanger that wraps around your headrest and allows you to hang clothes without blocking your view.

Minimize your blind spots

Most newer cars come with a blind spot warning system, but if your car doesn’t have this feature there are a few small things you can do to minimize your blind spots. For starters, make sure your side mirrors are out 15 degrees from the side of your car. When checking the left side mirror, lean your head so that it’s even with the driver’s side window and adjust your mirror so that you can see the side of your car. For the right side mirror, you can do the same while keeping your head in the center of the car. These small adjustments will help you minimize blind spots and maximize greater visibility.

These 6 tips can help you increase your visibility while driving for greater safety. If you have questions about ensuring safety while you drive, we’d love to help. Simply make an appointment and we’ll inspect your car for safer driving all year long.