A recent study done by market research firm Toluna found that 40 percent of its respondents became uncomfortable with driving at night by age 40. However, nighttime driving can also trigger anxiety in much younger drivers, especially those who are learning how to drive for the first time.

Driving at night isn't something you can avoid, especially since you'll usually need a few hours' worth of nighttime driving experience to work towards your Class D driver's license, depending on your state's statutes. However, there are several ways you can reduce the stress and anxiety involved in nighttime driving.  

Be Mindful of Reduced Reaction Times

Low-light conditions make driving at night an entirely different experience than driving during the daylight hours. For starters, these conditions make it harder for your eyes to gauge distances and identify objects and obstacles. This relative lack of visibility can slow your reaction times and, as a consequence, reduce your ability to avoid obstacles in time.

As you drive, you'll want to adjust your driving style so that you'll be able to avoid obstacles and stay out of harm's way. This includes maintaining reasonable distances from other vehicles and keeping an eye on your speed, as mentioned in the section below.

Slow Down and Stay Sharp

Speed is often a significant factor in nighttime accidents. The faster you go, the slower your reaction times become and the more distance you'll need to successfully avoid obstacles. At 50 mph, for instance, it can take 110 feet to react to an obstacle and another 158 feet to successfully stop, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. It's usually best to drive slower at night to account for lowered visibility and reduced reaction times. It's also important to keep a lookout for both expected and unexpected obstacles, including deer, moose and other wildlife.

Keep Your Headlights Clean

Dirty headlights can play a big role in shattering a young driver's confidence due to poor visibility under nighttime driving conditions. Cloudy or dirty headlights caused by dirt, bugs and other debris can significantly reduce your view of the road when you need it most. It's a good idea to clean your headlights, as well as your tail lamps and windows, on a weekly basis. You'll also want to make sure they're properly adjusted for proper aim.

Good Instructors Make Great Drivers

The instructor plays a big role in how well a novice driver handles a broad range of driving scenarios, including driving at night. An anxious driver can have trouble learning from and being comfortable around an equally anxious or stressed out instructor. It's a situation that could potentially lead to mistakes and even accidents, in some cases.

Having a good instructor by your side as you learn how to drive at night can make a tremendous difference. Your instructor should be able to guide you through the intricacies of nighttime driving in a calm and collected manner that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable behind the wheel. Your instructor should also provide clear and concise instructions that help you stay safe as you drive at night.

Parents often take the initiative of teaching their driving-age children how to drive, but having a parent in the role of the instructor is not always the best choice. Drivers who often find themselves anxious over driving at night with their parents may do well by asking another adult to step in.

More Practice Makes Perfect

The more time you spend driving at night, the less anxious you'll be about it when it comes time to receive your driver's license. Getting comfortable with nighttime driving through continuous training can help you overcome your anxiety and make you a safer driver. For more information, check out a site like http://www.a1peckdrivingschool.com.