As summer turns to fall and winter, our roads will become more challenging to navigate. Drivers, like you, will focus on driver safety and improving visibility to ensure they arrive at their destination safe and sound. One way to take your driver safety to the next level is to improve visibility while driving. Increased visibility will help you see potentially dangerous situations on the road ahead of you, and help you assess changing road conditions in those fall and winter months. Regardless of the time of year, safety is important and greater visibility will help. If you’re ready to improve your visibility, then we have 6 ways to help you drive more safely in any road conditions.

Keep your windshield clean for better Visibility

This may sound like a no-brainer, but one of the most basic keys to greater visibility is keeping your windshield clean. Dirty windshields can be dangerous when driving at night because street lights and oncoming headlights can reflect off of smudges and haze on your windshield – causing “stars” in the driver’s eyes. We recommend making a habit out of cleaning your windshield every time you fill up for gas to ensure clear vision at any time of day.

Check your windshield wiper blades

Your windshield wiper blades are essential for clear visibility especially when debris falls on your window, or you face inclement weather. But did you know that your wiper blades can dull after continued use? We recommend replacing your wiper blades every 6 months to ensure clean and clear visibility every time you drive. If it’s been a while since you’ve replaced your blades, now is a good time to do it. And while you’re changing out the blades, we recommend filling your windshield washer fluid to appropriate levels so you’re ready to drive in any weather conditions.

Better Visibility by cleaning your headlights

Dirt and debris can accumulate on your headlights which can cause them to dim when you need them most for driving at night. To eliminate this issue, plan on cleaning your headlights regularly for better visibility at night. While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to make sure your headlights are in working order, by replacing any burned out bulbs.

Repair chips and cracks immediately

We’ve all had it happen to us. We’re driving along and a small rock comes flying out of nowhere leaving a chip or small crack in your windshield. Left unrepaired, those small chips or cracks can become a large crack traveling the width of your windshield – and in the end, create a huge visibility challenge. Save yourself the headache and get those chips and cracks repaired as soon as they happen.

Uncover those windows

One visibility problem that can get overlooked is blocking your windows while driving. It’s essential to keep all your windows clear, so if you’ve installed sunshades in your back seat just make sure they are rolled up before you hit the road. If you are storing belongings in your back seat or in the trunk area of your SUV, it’s a good idea to pack them on either side of the car – leaving the middle open for a clear view out the back window. If you are transporting hanging clothes, you can invest in a hanger installed around your headrest enabling you to hang your clothes without blocking your view of the rear window.

Minimize your blind spots

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

These 6 small steps will go a long way in creating greater driver safety as you improve your visibility. If you have questions about preparing your car to aid in safer driving, we’d love to help. Call us for an appointment and one of our trained mechanics can inspect your car to ensure safe driving all year long.