Although the majority of driving takes place during daylight hours, at some point all professional drivers are forced to be driving after dark. Since most accidents occur during nightime hours, it is clear that it takes defensive driving skills to be safe on the interstate in the evening.
Roadway lighting is often very poor and in most rural areas lighting is very limited. Know your truck, and be prepared to stop with just the illumination of your own headlights. Do a pre-trip inspection of your headlamps prior to an overnight trip to make sure that they are clean and properly adjusted. Make it a routine to check your lights and reflectors each time you stop and consider installing halogen headlamps for and improvement to your vision. To insure your vision, avoid looking directly into the lights of approaching motor vehicles.
Evening drivers also impose the possibility of having some fatigue, and in some cases are impared to drive. Be alert for aggressive motorists, as they will generally be driving erratically during these times. Maintain a safe distance from these drivers and allow yourself plenty of room to stop. If a vehicle approachs your lane head-on, slow down and move your vehicle as far to the right as you can. Never take evasive action into an oncoming lane of traffic.
Reduce your speed during evening hours. Without natural light, fatigue is expected and vision and reaction time are slightly impared. Decrease speed when driving unfamiliar roads or routes less travelled. Maintain a safe distance (up to seven seconds) between you and the vehicle ahead.