In Kazakhstan, daytime temperatures reach up to 38 °C in summer, prompting many drivers to take long trips after sunset. However, night driving comes with heightened risks: reduced visibility, difficulty judging distances to oncoming traffic and obstacles, and rapid fatigue. The risk of road accidents increases significantly, according to the website Infohub.kz.
Before setting off, drivers should check that their low and high beams, parking lights, brake lights, turn signals, windshield wipers, washer fluid, and glass are all clean and functional. At night, a dirty windshield scatters oncoming headlights more, reducing visibility.
Don't overestimate the capabilities of even modern LED or matrix headlights: they only illuminate a limited portion of the road. Speed should be adjusted to the distance you can actually see, especially on rural highways where animals, pedestrians, or vehicles without lights may appear. If your braking distance exceeds the illuminated area, you won't be able to stop in time for an unexpected obstacle.
At night, it's advisable to increase the following distance, since obstacles are noticed later and eyes need time to recover after being blinded by oncoming headlights. The distance should allow enough room for braking, hazard recognition, and decision-making. Maintaining a safe gap is especially important on highways, in rain, and on unmarked roads.
The most dangerous mistake is trying to reach your destination while fighting fatigue. If your eyes start to droop, you feel like you're "zoning out" kilometers, or you can't concentrate, you need to pull over and rest. Coffee and energy drinks are no substitute for proper sleep.
Bright LED headlights, auxiliary light bars, and off-road light racks only improve visibility when there are no other road users. When oncoming traffic appears, you must timely switch from high to low beams and turn off any extra lighting. Even improperly adjusted headlights can blind other drivers, so after replacing bulbs or repairing the suspension, check the alignment.
If blinded by oncoming headlights, don't look directly at the light source. Instead, shift your gaze to the right edge of the road, gradually reduce speed, and avoid sudden maneuvers.
In summer, livestock and wild animals often venture onto roads after dark. Drivers should reduce speed in advance on unlit stretches, near settlements, and in areas with warning signs.
At night, roads appear emptier, which tempts drivers to speed. However, darkness increases the risk of collisions with animals, obstacles, or unlit vehicles. The key advice: better to drive a bit slower and arrive safely.