Improve Driver Safety with These Visibility Tips

Sep 23, 2024

It’s National Eye Health Week and we thought it would be a great time to tie this into driver visibility! Today, we’re going to share some great ways you can improve your visibility and safety while on the road. Greater visibility can help you assess changing road and weather conditions, and thus prevent costly accidents, damages, and injuries.

Clean your headlights and replace any dim bulbs.

Invest in a good headlight cleaning kit to remove dirt, grime, and build up to prevent fogging and scratching. In the vent that does not work, replace the casings if they’re fogged and scratched beyond repair. Replace any burned out bulbs and take the time to inspect the wiring and have repairs made as needed! Invest in some upgraded LED bulbs to increase your visibility in foggy conditions and inclement weather.

Inspect and replace your windshield wipers.

Regularly inspect your windshield wipers for signs of wear or any debris or build up on the blades. Replace them at regular intervals of about 6 months, but beware colder climates or frequent usage may increase the replacement frequency. Buying the best quality level you can afford will also extend the lifespan of your wipers; all-season blades are the most efficient and highest longevity. If you notice streaks or smears, rounded edges, or deep grooves or broken pieces, it’s time to replace! You can increase the life of your wipers by defrosting and scraping snow and ice manually before running the wipers, and avoiding running the wipers on a dry windshield.

Repair windshield cracks and chips

Delaying a windshield repair for a tiny crack or chip can seem insignificant, but it actually increases the likelihood of significant damage spreading. A chip or crack in the windshield can compromise structural integrity of the glass. This may lead to the windshield taking on water, obstructing vision with large hairline cracks or large stars blocking visibility, or even extreme fogging of the windshield. Repairing small cracks, stars, and chips can help save you the cost of replacing the entire windshield. Even after a repair you may still be able to vaguely see or slightly notice some of the damaged area, but if it’s been professionally filled with the proper grade resin it shouldn’t be an ongoing issue. Some insurance policies will provide coverage and installation assistance for windshield glass repair and/or a new windshield, but you’d have to check policy details to be sure.

Add a blind spot mirror.

Blindspot mirrors can provide additional wider views of the road around you. This can lead to safer lane changes, help you avoid accidents from approaching vehicles, assist in safer parking practices, and increase accessibility and visibility.

Clean your windshield and apply hydrophobic coating.

First, park your car in a cool, shaded area. To properly clean the windshield on your vehicle, you’ll want to select the right cleaning products. Opt for using ammonia-based cleaners to protect any tinting and leave you with a streak-free shine. You can also create your own cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of water with household vinegar. Use a clean, fresh microfiber cloth to apply your cleaners without creating any abrasions or scratches. When you’re finished, consider applying a hydrophobic coating to the glass to assist in increased visibility and reduced impact on your wipers. Make sure wiper fluid is always filled with a seasonally appropriate fluid.

Opt for eyeglasses with transitional lenses or wear sunglasses to combat glare.

Proper eyewear can of course correct your vision so you’re seeing clearly, but modern day options can provide additional protection from sun damage as well as glare. Look for glasses and eyewear that offer UV protection, polarization, photochromic lenses or clip-on sunglasses filters.