Driving tips for Bonfire Night
FixMyCar discusses the best ways to stay safe on the road this Bonfire Night.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Sunday November 05 2023
5 min read
Now that the clocks have changed, the sun sets much earlier in the evening, which means you’re probably spending more time driving in the dark. This comes like second nature for many motorists: switch your headlights on and off you go.
However, Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, comes with unique challenges and safety risks for drivers and pedestrians. This guide will help you prepare for the journey ahead.
Contents
1. Plan ahead
Preparation is key. If you’re driving to a fireworks display - especially in a location you’re unfamiliar with - map out your route before you set off and make sure you know where you’ll park. With hundreds of people turning up to some events, the chances are you won’t be the only person with that idea, and you could end up stuck without a space. Leave plenty of travelling time to ensure that, if this does happen, it doesn’t stop you from seeing the show.
2. Check your car
Before you set off, make sure both of your headlights are in good working order and check the treads on your tyres. You can do this using a twenty-pence piece. It's also worth checking your engine oil and coolant levels if you haven't done it recently.
Since the weather at this time of year can be unpredictable and usually quite chilly, it’s a good idea to pack some spare warm clothes and a blanket in the boot of your car, just in case. You could also familiarise yourself with what to do in the event of a breakdown.
3. Pay extra attention
Bonfire Night is a celebration many families enjoy, so you must be vigilant and look out for pedestrians. Children can easily get lost in the dark and won’t always be wearing high-vis if they step out onto the road. Stick to a reasonable speed and pay extra attention to your surroundings.
Another thing to be aware of is that many animals find fireworks distressing, so you might find one running into the road in fright. A collision can seriously damage the animal and your car, so you should maintain a moderate speed, allowing you to brake quickly if necessary.
4. Be mindful of animals
Most animals find fireworks frightening and can suffer from stress because of them. If you have a pet, you should leave it at home with multiple safe spaces where it can hide. Never leave an animal in your car for an extended period during Bonfire Night.
If you’re organising a fireworks display or heading to one run by someone else, it should never be held near horses or livestock. Horses are flight animals and could seriously injure themselves (and others) by running away in the dark. If you see a field of horses nearby, inform the event organiser and find a more suitable place to enjoy the evening’s festivities.
5. Think about visibility
Visibility is severely reduced at night. The glare from other driver's headlights can make it difficult to see where you are going, even worse in areas with no street lamps.
Before setting off, ensure your windscreen is clean and free from obstructions to give you the best view of the road ahead. It's also worth checking that your windscreen wipers work as they should, and remember to top up your screenwash if it's running low.
Getting your eyes tested regularly is an essential but often overlooked part of being a responsible driver. If you need glasses, wear them, and if your vision might not be as good as it once was, book yourself into the opticians before making any extended nighttime journeys.
6. Don't drive tired
If you haven’t had enough sleep and feel tired, driving in the dark will likely make things worse. The National Safety Council claims that losing two hours of sleep has the same effect on driving as drinking three beers, and tired drivers are three times more likely to be in a crash. Couple this with the added risk of extra pedestrians and loose animals, and it sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Try to get enough sleep before starting your journey, but if you’re too tired, it’s not worth the risk.
7. Book a vehicle health check
Breaking down in the dark on your way to a fireworks display is a sure way to ruin your night. If your vehicle is relatively old or has covered many miles, it might be worth booking a vehicle health check before Bonfire Night (or any major journeys) to make sure it's safe to drive and in good condition.
This guide discusses everything you need to know about car health checks.
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Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Manager. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.