(MS) — Many drivers feel less comfortable behind the wheel at night than they do during the day, when daylight makes it easier to see fellow motorists as well as pedestrians. Nighttime can compromise a driver’s vision, and that reduced vision is a key factor in traffic fatalities, nearly half of which occur at night.

Though traffic accidents are a byproduct of a host of factors, headlamp clouding is one of them and a growing problem for many motorists. Vehicles equipped with plastic headlamp lenses can become hazed and yellowed from the effects of sunlight, ozone, road pollution and the chemicals used in car washes. When driving at night, cloudy headlamps combine with little or no natural light to decrease visibility and pose a significant safety threat to drivers, their passengers and fellow motorists. Drivers cannot increase the amount of natural light at night, but there are steps they can take to improve their nighttime visibility.

* Address cloudy headlamps. Plastic headlamp lenses, especially as they age, reduce headlight output considerably, compromising nighttime vision and the safety of drivers and their passengers. But as potentially dangerous as cloudy headlamps can be, it’s just as easy for drivers to address the issue before it becomes a problem. Employing an advanced technology that works with minimal effort, the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit is designed for do-it-yourselfers and can help restore headlight lenses to like-new condition in less than 30 minutes. In lieu of a costly headlamp replacement, the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit allows motorists to quickly and significantly improve the light output of their headlamps, taillights, turn signals and reflective lens covers.

* Keep wiper blades fresh. Vision is already compromised at night, when the lack of natural light can make it difficult to see pedestrians or animals on the road. That visibility is only further compromised by brittle or ineffective wiper blades, which should be changed every 90-120 days to ensure optimal performance. Drivers who live in areas with heavy rain or snowfall should inspect their wiper blades more frequently, especially if there is pitting on the windshield.

* Check the windshield washer periodically. The windshield washer is an often overlooked aspect of vehicle maintenance. Unfortunately, it’s typically too late by the time many motorists notice an issue with their windshield washer. Don’t fall victim to a faulty windshield washer in the middle of a rainstorm or a blizzard. Inspect the windshield washer periodically to ensure it’s working properly and keep the fluid level topped off so it’s there when you need it.

* Think ahead. In addition to addressing existing issues, drivers can take steps to ensure their nighttime visibility is protected over the long haul. The Philips Headlight Restoration Kit, for example, employs a protective UV coating that can prevent future clouding for up to two years. In addition to addressing the headlamps, consider how your visibility is likely to be affected during the worst possible snowstorm or on a night with torrential rains. Keep those conditions in mind when deciding whether or not to hang any fuzzy dice or other trinkets from your rearview mirror. While such items can add a touch of personality to your vehicle, the decreased visibility such items can cause is not worth the cost over the long haul.

More information is available at www.philips.com/automotive.