Bonfire Night and Dark Evenings: Be Seen on the Road
Around bonfire night, the evenings are at their darkest just as more people are out walking to events, so being seen and seeing clearly matter most. Check that all your lights work and are clean, keep your windscreen spotless to cut glare, use dipped headlights in poor light, and watch carefully for pedestrians.
The most hazardous evenings of the year
Early November is a tricky time on the roads. The clocks have gone back so the evening commute is in the dark, the weather is often wet and misty, and bonfire and firework events bring extra people, including children, out walking near roads.
That combination of poor visibility and more pedestrians is exactly when being seen, and seeing clearly, count for the most. A few simple checks make a real difference to how safely you get through it.
Make sure you are seen
Start with your lights. Walk around the car and check every one works and is clean.
- Headlights on dipped and full beam, and that the lenses are clear.
- Brake lights, indicators and reversing lights.
- Rear lights and number-plate lights.
- Fog lights, for when visibility genuinely drops.
A blown bulb makes you harder to see and is an MOT failure, so replace any promptly.
Seeing clearly in the dark
Being able to see is the other half of the equation. A dirty windscreen turns oncoming headlights into blinding glare, so clean the glass inside and out, as the inside builds up a film that worsens night glare.
Fit fresh wiper blades if they smear, keep the screenwash topped up, and clean cloudy headlight lenses, which scatter your beam and cut how far you can see. Clear glass and good lights transform night-time visibility for very little effort.
Use the right lights
In poor light, use dipped headlights rather than just sidelights, which are not bright enough to see by or to be clearly seen. Switch to full beam only on unlit roads with no oncoming traffic, and dip in good time for others.
Use fog lights only when visibility is genuinely reduced, and switch them off when it clears so you do not dazzle others or mask your brake lights. Getting your light use right is especially important on dark, busy bonfire-night roads.
Watch for pedestrians
With more people out walking to events, often in dark clothing and sometimes excited children, pedestrian awareness is vital. Slow down in residential areas and near event venues, and expect people to step out, particularly youngsters who may not be looking.
Take extra care near crossings, parked cars and queues of traffic where people weave between vehicles. A lower speed gives you the time to react that the darkness and crowds take away.
A quick autumn-evening check
Pulling it together, before the darkest evenings set in, give the car a quick once-over: all lights working and clean, a spotless windscreen, fresh wipers, topped-up screenwash and clear headlight lenses.
If a bulb has blown, your lenses are hazed, or your wipers smear, we can sort them quickly so you are properly equipped for the dark, wet evenings ahead. Being seen and seeing clearly is the foundation of safe autumn and winter driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are early November evenings so hazardous to drive?
The clocks have gone back so commutes are in the dark, the weather is often wet and misty, and bonfire and firework events bring more people, including children, out walking near roads. Poor visibility plus more pedestrians is exactly when being seen and seeing clearly matter most.
Should I use sidelights or headlights in the dark?
Use dipped headlights in poor light and darkness, not just sidelights, which are not bright enough to see by or to be clearly seen by others. Switch to full beam only on unlit roads with no oncoming traffic, and use fog lights only when visibility is genuinely reduced.
How do I cut headlight glare at night?
Clean your windscreen inside and out, as the inside builds up a film that scatters oncoming light into blinding glare. Fit fresh wiper blades if they smear, keep screenwash topped up, and clean cloudy headlight lenses. Clear glass and good lights dramatically improve night vision.
What should I watch for around bonfire events?
Watch for pedestrians, especially excited children in dark clothing who may step out without looking, near event venues, crossings, parked cars and traffic queues. Slow down in residential areas, as a lower speed gives you the reaction time that darkness and crowds take away.
What car checks should I do for dark evenings?
Check every light works and is clean, including headlights, brake lights, indicators and number-plate lights, clean the windscreen inside and out, fit fresh wipers if they smear, top up screenwash, and clear cloudy headlight lenses. We can sort any of these quickly if needed.
Book With Norwich Tyres & Auto Service
Need a hand from a real, independent Norwich garage? Call 07933 900901 or pop into Ber Street, NR1 3ES. Same-day tyre fitting is available on most common sizes, with free parking on site.
Hero image: “Headlights, Gamla Stan, Stockholm” by Dimitry B (source), licensed under CC BY.