Power Distribution System
Driving at night is one of every car enthusiast’s favorite past times. Make a playlist, grab a buddy, and head off the beaten path. However, night driving also has its downsides, including fatigue and low visibility. Fortunately, there are a variety of tactics you can keep on-hand whenever you want to drive when the roads are clear and the sun is down. Baja Designs recently released two products that illuminate the road at unprecedented levels. Let’s take a look at how these automotive lighting solutions perform:
S1
The S1 family is the LED Vehicle Lighting solution you have been looking for but haven’t found. Designed from the latest lighting technology, the S1 holds a lot of power in a tiny package. In fact, the new S1 floods the night sky using a targeting lighting system. The S1 also utilizes a highly specialized reflector and LED combination that competes with the most expansive lighting systems. Did we mention how small it is? The S1 is a mere 2.1″ in its length, width, and height. This highly versatile automotive lighting works well for any application, whether you need extra light for dark nights or to light up your campsite. Just take a peek at the S1 product video and watch it exceed your expectations!
LP4
Small and mighty like the S1, the Baja Designs LP4 is the smallest variant in the LP lineup but doesn’t lose any of the reputable LP power. Don’t believe us? Just take a look at the LP4’s features. For instance, this lighting solution packs 8,750 lumens and a 200° spread of useable LED light. If the depth and brightness don’t impress you, the LP4 also pumps out 7,050 forward projecting lumens and 1,700 lumens of dedicated peripheral lighting courtesy of our patented Integrated Peripheral Technology (IPT). Along with IPT, the LP4 also integrates Baja’s signature Direct Ducted Cooling (DDC) technology. The DDC technology allows air to travel through the front of the housing, over the rear heat sinks. Put simply, DDC drastically improves the system’s cooling capacity and performance. Watch the LP4 in all its glory below:
Baja Designs’ is committed to keeping your drives safe. That’s why the Scientists of Lighting work tirelessly creating lighting applications for all cars, motorcycles, and off-roading vehicles. Along with equipping your vehicle with our latest lighting systems, you should also learn the best practices for driving. For example, if you are driving at night you should always practice caution. Here are some reasons your UTV needs a lighting kit. Let’s discuss fatigue driving and our tips for staying safe at night.
Fatigue Driving
Fatigued driving is often compared to driving under the influence of alcohol, for a good reason. The results can cause the same amount of damage, injury, and even death. Driving without proper sleep results in slower reactions, decreased concentration, and poor judgment. Continued fatigued driving can lead to nodding off or a severe car accident. When you’re experiencing fatigue, you’re three times more likely to be in a car crash than fully rested driving.
The best way to avoid fatigue while driving at night is to refrain from driving at all. Staying off the roads when you’re drowsy ensures your health and safety. Unfortunately, that’s not always an option. When driving at night is unavoidable, it’s essential to know how to combat exhaustion. Here are some tips that will keep you safe and alert while driving at night.
Tips for Driving at Night
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Experts recommended getting between 7 and 8 hours of sleep every night. This is especially important before a big road trip. Getting adequate rest allows your brain to completely process the road and its surrounding environment. Sadly, many drivers fail to recognize the effects of poor sleep until it’s too late. Make it a habit to get the rest your body needs.
Take Regular Breaks
You may have slept the recommended 7-8 hours the night before a road trip, but driving for hours without stopping can cause even the most seasoned drivers to become exhausted. Rather than waiting for your body to tell you when to stop, plan regular breaks into your road trip, spaced about 2 hours apart. These breaks will give you a chance to reset your mind and body—you can even take a 15-minute power-nap during one of them if you need to.
Drink Some Caffeine – With Caution
Often, this is the first thing drowsy drivers think to do. Drinking caffeine can give you a short-term boost of energy, increasing alertness. However, keep in mind, drinking copious amounts of caffeine is not in any way a replacement for sleep. Additionally, caffeine doesn’t help your body overcome the effects of being drowsy. While caffeine may boost your energy levels, it is only a temporary solution to fatigued driving.
Use the Buddy System
It was true in grade school, and it holds true today – using the buddy system helps you stay safe. Most drowsy driving crashes happen with a single driver. When driving at night, try to have someone in the car with you. They can take turns driving, notice when you’re getting drowsy, and keep you from dangerous distractions (changing the music, giving directions, etc.). Using the buddy system does not mean talking to someone on the phone, however, as that can be just as dangerous as driving alone.
Don’t Use Cruise Control
If you can’t stop along the road, you must keep your mind working as you experience fatigue. Although cruise control makes maintaining speeds easier, it’s also dangerous if you’re exhausted. Using cruise control increases the chance that you’ll nod off and weave between lanes while maintaining an unsafe speed. Increase your awareness and reaction time by avoiding cruise control.
Use an Advanced Vehicle Lighting System
Human eyes have evolved into seeing the best in full daylight. We see best at noon on a sunny day, which is why fatigue happens so quickly when driving through the dark of night. Though you may not be able to get the best sleep before a big road trip, you can make your experience better by minimizing the strain on your eyes by improving your factory headlights with Baja Designs. Not only do each of our lighting systems increase terrain recognition, but they can also actually decrease your fatigue while you drive.
Give the LP4 or S1 a try on your next night out. These small and mighty lighting packages give you the extra boost you need on your night drives. Our products use natural color, daylight-imitating LEDs (with a color temperature of 5000° Kelvin) to ensure the safest and highest performing driving experience. Upgrade your vehicle’s lighting system and avoid fatigue while driving at night.
