Night Driving
Driving a car at night time is very different to driving a car during the day time. When you drive a car during the daytime it is much easier to see other vehicles, people or objects as they approach your car. It is also easier to judge the speed and distance of the other vehicle, people or object during the day time. When a car pulls out of a side street or a person runs out in front of your car. It is your ability to see what they are doing that allows you to react and brake in time to avoid the accident. Your peripheral vision is severely reduced at night time. When you stare at the road in front of you, everything to the left or right of your central gaze is part of your peripheral vision. We use our peripheral vision to warn us of danger approaching from the sides. The problem is at night time your headlights are pointing forward. Even with street lights you can only see a few metres to your left or right. Also at night time the glare from the lights on our cars instrument panel, the street lights or the headlights of other vehicles can distract us. This glare is magnified when it is raining. To reduce the impact of this make sure that your windows is clean (to improve your vision). You should also dim the lights on your instrument panel (this reduces the glare).
Source: http://learntodrivedrivingschool.com.au/blog/night-driving/