Safety Tips For Driving an RV at Night

Driving an RV during the later hours is a challenge even for highly-experienced RV owners. Between tiredness and reduced visibility, the chances of the driver making a mistake are much higher compared to day driving. Here at 47 West Trailers, we take our customers’ safety seriously. That’s why we have created this list of RV night driving tips. 

Never Drive While You’re Tired

The National Safety Council has conducted studies into driving while tired. Their findings indicate that those who drive tired are as much as three times more likely to get into some kind of accident. Fatigue both saps your concentration and reduces your reaction speed, a potentially deadly combination when on the road. If the driver starts to get tired, pull the RV over so that someone that’s better rested can take over. If none of the available drivers are alert enough to safely drive, it might be best to just pull over and rest for a while. 

Dim Interior Lighting

Driving an RV at night is hard enough without adding more distractions. One common distraction that is easy to eliminate is interior lighting. By turning off or dimming interior lights as much as possible, you can make things that much easier for the RV’s driver. You should also ask your passengers to dim or shut off light sources like electronics if possible. 

Watch The Road For Animals

Many animals, such as deer and racoons, are nocturnal and thus far more active at night. If you’re driving through a forested or rural area, you might accidentally hit something. Pay attention to road signs, as roads frequently used by animals to cross will usually be marked as such. If you do see an animal in your path, press down on the brakes rather than swerving.

Add More Exterior Lighting

If you know for a fact that you’ll be doing a lot of night driving in your RV, you can add some extra exterior lights or upgrade your headlights to help make things a bit safer. Not only will you be able to see better, but other motorists will be able to see you and react to your presence. Of course, lights that are too bright can blind other drivers, so bear that in mind. 

Shop new and pre-owned RVs at 47 West Trailers in Troy, Missouri. We also carry RV parts, and offer both rentals and servicing. We’re proud to welcome customers from communities like St. Louis and Columbia, Missouri, so come visit us soon!