Be Cautious When Riding or Driving at Night or in the Early Morning Hours!

During the autumn season, there is an increase in nighttime activities for citizens. Many people and tourists need to ride or drive during the night or early morning hours for various reasons, often in low-light conditions. Here are some safety precautions to consider when cycling or driving in these conditions.

Due to reduced visibility at night, the range and clarity of human vision are greatly affected, making even slight lapses in attention potentially dangerous. The likelihood of traffic accidents occurring at night is 1.5 times higher than during the day. Understanding the causes of accidents is essential in reducing nighttime driving accidents at their source. Safety while driving at night is of utmost importance.

Nighttime Driving Precautions:

1. When approaching intersections at night, regardless of whether there are traffic signals, reduce your speed. Maintaining daytime speeds may lead to unpredictable emergencies, especially when passing through intersections, residential areas, or villages. Exercise caution in these areas.

2. Before starting your journey, apart from using turn signals, turn on your low beams to see the road clearly. After coming to a complete stop, turn off your lights. If you need to make a temporary stop, turn on your hazard lights and taillights to alert other road users and prevent accidents.

3. Determine road conditions by observing the color of the road surface. Normal roads are mostly gray, while white or brighter areas may indicate water accumulation, and black areas may indicate potholes or mud. The saying goes, "Stay on gray, avoid white, and stop on black."

4. When you suddenly encounter lights at an intersection, it indicates approaching vehicles. When the taillights of the vehicle in front of you change from dim to bright and from high to low, it generally means that the following distance is decreasing. If you can read the license plate number of the vehicle in front, it means you are following too closely, and you should increase the following distance immediately.

5. When the lights disappear from the road surface, be alert for possible sharp turns, potholes, or uphill sections. When the lights shift from the center of the road to one side, it indicates a bend ahead. When the lights move from one side of the road to the other, it suggests a series of curves, and drivers should slow down and keep to the right.

6. If the vehicle's speed automatically decreases, and the engine sounds muffled, it indicates increased resistance due to uphill driving or driving on soft road surfaces. Conversely, if the speed increases, it means reduced resistance or downhill driving.

7. When driving on highways at night, where visibility can be very poor, it is advisable to use high beams. However, always control your speed and switch to low beams when the following distance decreases.

Nighttime Cycling – Be Prepared and Eliminate Hazards:

1. When cycling at night, prioritize safety. Before setting out, inspect your bicycle to ensure that its brakes are functioning properly. Make sure you are in good physical condition and that your bicycle is in good working order before embarking on a nighttime ride. For long-distance cycling, prepare a flashlight, water, food, and take breaks as needed to stay hydrated and energized. Whether riding a regular bicycle or an electric bicycle, wearing a helmet is highly recommended.

2. Follow the principle of "being seen to be safe." Wear bright-colored clothing and consider wearing Croc headlights, which can provide ample illumination and serve as a warning to other vehicles and pedestrians. Ensure that the reflective markings on your non-motorized vehicle's pedals and mudguard are clean to avoid being invisible in the dark.

3. When cycling or walking at night, carefully observe the surrounding traffic environment and avoid traffic violations. Travel in a civilized and lawful manner to ensure traffic safety. Specifically, pay attention to the following details:

- Ride bicycles or electric bicycles in bicycle lanes or, in the absence of designated lanes, stay on the right side of the road. Bicycles do not have rearview mirrors, and they are agile in changing lanes. Random lane changes or weaving through traffic can easily lead to accidents.
- Pay attention to road conditions while cycling, and avoid making sudden turns or U-turns. When passing through intersections, obey traffic signal indications, and follow the three-step process for turning: slow down, look behind and signal, then make the turn. Avoid sudden turns to prevent accidents, especially at night when visibility is poor.
- When crossing roads, dismount and walk. Always follow the law when crossing roads on a bicycle and dismount and walk across. Avoid riding across roads, especially in low-light conditions, as it can be difficult for drivers to see and react to sudden crossings.
- Do not use phones or wear headphones while cycling, as this can distract your attention from the road and impede your ability to observe and react to traffic conditions. This can pose a safety hazard.
- Stay away from the inner area when large vehicles are making turns. When large vehicles make turns, there is a danger zone of about 2 meters on the inside. It is essential for cyclists to keep a safe distance from this area. Riding too close to the vehicle's body can lead to collisions and pose a significant risk.

4. Wear a helmet for safety. If riding an electric bicycle, always remember to wear a safety helmet. Wearing a helmet is essential to protect the safety of electric bicycle riders. Properly wearing a safety helmet involves four steps: first, open the chin strap; second, place the helmet horizontally on your head and slowly tighten the strap until it feels comfortable; third, adjust the strap below your ears; fourth, after adjusting the strap, pull it close to your chin.

5. Avoid racing or competing while cycling. Avoid riding side by side, chasing each other, or racing on bicycles, as these behaviors can easily lead to accidents due to a lack of concentration, riding too closely, swaying, or collisions between two bicycles.

6. Do not ride with your hands off the handlebars or hold objects while cycling. Riding with both hands off the handlebars or holding objects in your hands can make you lose balance and pose a danger if you encounter uneven road surfaces or sudden appearances of vehicles or pedestrians.

8. Do not hold onto or be towed by other vehicles while cycling. If the vehicle being held onto or towed by suddenly needs to brake or stop, the cyclist can easily fall and get injured."