As the clocks fall back on November 3rd, North Dakotans will once again say goodbye to daylight savings time and hello to darker mornings. While that extra hour of sleep is a welcome treat, the earlier sunsets and later sunrises can lead to driving challenges, especially for those with astigmatism.

For reasons other than courtesy, now is an excellent moment to discuss the significance of lowering the brightness of your headlights.

When the sun takes its sweet time rising, the morning commute becomes a bit gloomier. According to the American Optometric Association, astigmatism sufferers (like me), in particular, face challenges driving in low-light conditions. This common vision condition causes light to scatter, which means those blinding high beams from oncoming traffic are even more disorienting. Dim your headlights, and you’re doing everyone a favor—especially those dealing with extra glare and halos around lights.

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Did you know that North Dakota law actually requires drivers to use their headlights between sunset and sunrise and in other low-visibility situations. It’s not just a legal issue; it’s a safety matter for everyone on the road. So, as the days grow shorter, be courteous.

Be sure to dim those brights when other cars approach, and remember: it could be you squinting through a sea of starbursts from oncoming traffic.

So, while you enjoy the extra hour of snooze, don’t forget to adapt to the changing light. With darker mornings ahead, a little extra headlight etiquette will go a long way toward keeping the roads safe for everyone!

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