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Driver guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Night Driving Tips: Headlights, Glare and Staying Alert
Fall and winter mean more miles in the dark. Here is what the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute tell drivers about driving at night: when headlights are required, when to dim your high beams, how to handle glare, why to slow down, and how to spot drowsiness before it causes a crash, for drivers around Michigan City.
Sunset to sunriseheadlights required, and any time visibility is under 500 feet (BMV)
500 feetdim your high beams for oncoming traffic (BMV)
200 feetdim your high beams when following another vehicle (BMV)
Midnight to 6 a.m.a peak time for drowsy-driving crashes (ICJI)
The short answer
Use headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see 500 feet ahead. Switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 200 feet behind another vehicle. Slow down, look toward the right side of the road instead of into oncoming lights, and stop driving if you notice signs of drowsiness.
Why night driving is harder
Driving at night presents a number of potential problems, the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says, and they can be made worse if you do not have experience driving at night or in dangerous conditions. Drivers are more likely to be fatigued at night and may have a higher risk of accidents.
Pedestrians, road markings and other vehicles are also more difficult to identify and recognize at night. That is why the manual says to reduce your normal speed under nighttime driving conditions, especially on unfamiliar roads.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7 (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles), read October 29, 2026.
Indiana headlight rules
The BMV manual sets out when headlights and low beams are required:
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Between sunset and sunrise | Headlights must be on. |
| Visibility less than 500 feet, any time | Headlights must be on. |
| Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle | Use low beams. |
| Following within 200 feet of another vehicle | Use low beams. |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, read October 29, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Glare and speed
The BMV manual's guidance for seeing and being seen at night:
Look to the right
The glare of oncoming headlights can reduce vision. Do not look directly into an approaching vehicle's lights; focus on the right side of the road instead.
Slow down
Reduce your normal speed at night, especially on unfamiliar roads, because pedestrians, road markings and other vehicles are harder to see.
Dim for others
Switch to low beams when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 200 feet behind another vehicle.
Floodwater after dark
Flash flooding causes more deaths than any other roadway weather event each year. Be especially alert at night, and never drive around barricades or past road closed signs.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, read October 29, 2026.
Drowsiness and night driving
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) says sleepiness can cause crashes at any time of day or night, but drowsy-driving crashes occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m. or in the late afternoon, when people experience dips in their circadian rhythm. They often involve a single driver with no passengers running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking, and they frequently occur on rural roads and highways.
The BMV manual says that nationally, an estimated 17.6% of fatal motor vehicle crashes involved a fatigued driver, and that studies have shown going 18 hours without sleep leaves a driver as impaired as one with a .08 blood alcohol content, the legal limit. Shift workers, parents, people taking sedative medications and people with an untreated sleep disorder are among the most susceptible.
From ICJI, "Drowsy Driving," and the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, read October 29, 2026.
Signs you are too tired to drive
The BMV manual says to be prepared to stop driving if you cannot stay alert or notice any of these:
Eyes
Yawning, rubbing your eyes, watery eyes or heavy eyelids.
Memory
Difficulty remembering the last few miles or minutes driven, or missing road signs or exits.
Lane position
Changing lanes unexpectedly, drifting off the road or hitting the rumble strips.
Head and speed
Head nodding or dropping, falling asleep at stop lights, or failing to keep a constant speed.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, read October 29, 2026.
How to stay alert behind the wheel
Do not drive if you are tired, the BMV manual says. The best way to reduce drowsiness is more sleep; if you are already on the road, pull over to a safe area as soon as you can and take a short nap. If possible, avoid driving when you feel sleepy and let a well-rested person drive, or carpool, use public transportation or ask a family member or friend to drive you.
The ICJI says getting adequate sleep every day is the only true protection, and experts urge seven to eight hours a night. Avoid alcohol before driving, check prescription and over-the-counter medication labels for drowsiness warnings, and if you must drive during the peak sleepiness periods, stay vigilant for signs such as crossing roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip. Coffee alone is not always enough: one to two cups plus a 20-minute nap in a safe place, such as a lighted, designated rest stop, helps only for short periods.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, and ICJI, "Drowsy Driving," read October 29, 2026.
Before you drive after dark: service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Book it any time you want a general checkup.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, October 29, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Night driving FAQ
When do I have to turn on my headlights in Indiana?
Between sunset and sunrise, and at any other time visibility is less than 500 feet, the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says.
When do I have to dim my high beams?
The BMV manual says low beams must be used when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, or when you are following within 200 feet of the rear of another vehicle.
How do I handle glare from oncoming headlights?
Do not look directly into the lights of an approaching vehicle. The BMV manual says to focus on the right side of the road instead.
Should I drive slower at night?
Yes. The BMV manual says pedestrians, road markings and other vehicles are harder to identify at night, and that you should reduce your normal speed under nighttime conditions, especially on unfamiliar roads.
What are the signs I am too drowsy to drive?
The BMV manual lists falling asleep at stop lights; yawning, rubbing eyes, watery eyes or heavy eyelids; trouble remembering the last few miles or minutes driven; missing signs or exits; changing lanes unexpectedly; head nodding; drifting off the road or hitting rumble strips; and failing to keep a constant speed. Be prepared to stop driving if you notice them.
Does coffee keep me alert enough to drive?
Not on its own. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says coffee or energy drinks alone are not always enough, and seriously sleep-deprived drivers can still have micro sleeps of four or five seconds. If you get sleepy, it suggests one to two cups of coffee and a 20-minute nap in a safe place, such as a lighted, designated rest stop, which helps only for short periods.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule a checkup
Book The Works, which includes a battery test, brake inspection and Multi-Point Inspection, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Night driving rules and tips are from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, read October 29, 2026. Laws change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (driving at night, headlights, drowsy driving), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, read October 29, 2026
- Drowsy Driving (crash factors and tips to drive alert), Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, read October 29, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, October 29, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, October 29, 2026