BLOG POSTS

PART 1

BRING A MATE

Having a friend as a passenger is a great idea for four-wheel driving at night, providing a helping hand in recoveries and assistance in navigating technical tracks if needed. Moreover, they can offer entertainment during long drives, like car-spec karaoke or playing 'spotto.' However, the best option is to travel in a convoy with an extra car or more, which not only encompasses all the advantages mentioned before but also offers the ultimate plan B. With a convoy, you have additional eyes, more recovery options, and, crucially, more light. Speaking of more light, let's discuss that next.

TRIP PLANNING

To steer clear of driving at night, comprehensive trip planning is the most effective approach. During the planning process, it's important to assess the distances between stops, evaluate the potential driving conditions, estimate how they may impact your speed, and determine the departure time from point A to ensure arrival at point B before dusk or nightfall. This is especially crucial as wildlife becomes more active and harder to detect during this time.

QUALITY LIGHTING

If you own an older 4x4, you're well aware of the dreadful performance of the factory headlights, often likened to candles. While modern 4x4s have made some improvements, they still fall short when it comes to providing broad and long-distance visibility. Fortunately, Aftermarket Lights are coming to the rescue of off-road enthusiasts, ensuring our safety during nighttime drives!

When it comes to enhancing the lighting on your vehicle, you have multiple choices, such as replacing wiring looms, upgrading headlight bulbs/LEDs, and, of course, installing driving lights and light bars.

In today's world, LED lights have become the go-to choice for driving lights and light bars due to their efficient power usage and impressive illumination. However, it's important to remember that not all driving lights and light bars are alike. Therefore, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and select high-quality products that will endure over time.

FRONTAL PROTECTION

When it comes to bullbars, if you have plans for night driving, it is crucial to equip your vehicle with one. An encounter with an animal while driving without protection can result in extensive harm, such as damaging the cooling system, shattering the headlights, and even warping steering components. This could leave both the vehicle and its occupants stranded, particularly if driving in a remote area, posing a potential threat to their lives.

Bullbars are typically made of either steel or aluminum, although some manufacturers like SmartBar produce models made of plastic. While a properly constructed and designed steel bullbar provides the highest level of protection, its weight can be a drawback.

Although aluminium bars are typically not as strong as steel bars, their lighter weight offers advantages such as reducing wear and tear on vehicle components like suspension and tires, minimizing the impact on vehicle handling, performance, and fuel economy.

Regardless of the material chosen, it is crucial to select a bullbar that provides maximum protection for the front-end of your vehicle, including the cooling system and headlights. Many bullbar manufacturers also offer under-vehicle protection systems that are compatible and specifically designed to safeguard vulnerable mechanical components like suspension and steering systems.

DRIVING TECHNIQUES

Even if you have equipped your vehicle with an excellent lighting system and sufficient frontal protection, it is crucial to remain highly vigilant while driving at night. This is necessary to safeguard both yourself and your vehicle, as well as any wildlife and wandering livestock.

When traveling on open roads, it is advisable to scan the road ahead as far as your lights allow, while also remaining cautious of objects in the middle and near distance. Animal collisions often occur unexpectedly, such as when kangaroos suddenly emerge from the roadside vegetation, leaving little time for evasive maneuvers.

Therefore, it is essential to adapt your speed according to the prevailing conditions. If it is dark and there is a significant presence of animals, it is highly recommended to reduce your speed considerably. By doing so, you increase your chances of avoiding collisions.

Animals have the ability to emerge unexpectedly from the darkness in various locations, although certain areas pose a higher likelihood of encountering wildlife, such as creek crossings or areas with abundant foliage alongside the roads. When encountering such situations, it is advisable to maintain a safe distance and anticipate unforeseen encounters.

Having an understanding of the appropriate usage of your vehicle's lighting system is crucial for better visibility while driving. It's not advisable to use spot beams in areas with dense foliage or enclosed terrain, as the focused beams of light can cause distractions. In such scenarios, a combination of spread-beam light bar and spot driving lights can prove to be useful. You can turn off the driving lights and rely solely on the spread beam of the light bar, which is better suited for such situations. Once the terrain opens up again, you can switch back to using the spot beams.

TIREDNESS

Should you find yourself driving late into the night after a long day on the road, it is likely that fatigue will set in. Therefore, it is important to stay hydrated and opt for nutritious meals. Resist the temptation of consuming high-sugar and caffeinated foods and drinks. Although sugary treats and excessive coffee might provide a temporary energy boost and heightened alertness, the subsequent crash will leave you even more fatigued than before. This can impede your ability to concentrate on the crucial task of reaching your destination safely, without causing harm to yourself, your vehicle, fellow road users, as well as wildlife.

Remember, plan your trip, equip your vehicle with the right gear, stay focussed, and drive to the conditions.