We’ve found Ernie a pleasure to speak with, he’s down to earth, easy going and a true professional. Get an insurance quote here

Ernie’s Office is located at the Lincoln Street Business Center in downtown Tullahoma; 101 West Lincoln Street, Suite 106 – across the street from Clayton Shoe Store and the Veranda House. Office hours are Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; with evening and weekend hours by appointment only. To speak with Ernie about personal auto and home insurance, contact him at (931) 455-0504, send an email to ehobbs@metlife.com, or visit MetLife Auto & Home’s Tennessee web site at www.hobbsinsurance.metlife.com or his new site at TullahomaInsuranceAgent.com.

Ernie is pleased to provide excellent services to clients in Shelbyville, Manchester, Tullahoma, Decherd, Estill Springs, McMinnville, Lavergne, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Spring Hill and Thompsons Station. If you are in Bedford, Coffee, Lincoln, Franklin, Rutherford or Williamson county and looking for insurance, Ernie would love to help.

Ernie’s product lines include preferred Auto and Homeowners insurance, Non-standard homeowner (H03) insurance, renters, condominium, flood insurance etc. and he can even handle mobile or manufactured homes.

His vehicle coverage include RVs antique cars, street rods, boats, yachts, personal watercraft, off road vehicles, classic cars, motorcycles and even your family’s Surburban or good old Ford F150.

Ernie is a Metlife agent, but also sells progressive, RLI, sentry, Chubb, AIG, The Hartford, Travelers and American Modern.

If you’ve financed your car, your lender may require comprehensive and collision insurance as part of the loan agreement.

Below is an example of the state minimum limits for auto liability insurance. The first number refers to liability limits for bodily injury for any one person, the second to limits for all persons injured, and the third refers to property damage liability limits. For example, 20/40/10 means coverage up to $40,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $20,000 for one individual and $10,000 coverage for property damage.

State	Insurance required	Minimum liability limits (1)
Alabama	BI & PD Liab	20/40/10
Alaska	BI & PD Liab	50/100/25
Arizona	BI & PD Liab	15/30/10
Arkansas	BI & PD Liab, PIP	25/50/25
California	BI & PD Liab	15/30/5 (2)
Colorado	BI & PD Liab	25/50/15
Connecticut	BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM	20/40/10
Delaware	BI & PD Liab, PIP	15/30/10
D.C.	BI & PD Liab, UM	25/50/10
Florida	PD Liab, PIP	10/20/10 (3)
Georgia	BI & PD Liab	25/50/25
Hawaii	BI & PD Liab, PIP	20/40/10
Idaho	BI & PD Liab	25/50/15
Illinois	BI & PD Liab, UM	20/40/15
Indiana	BI & PD Liab	25/50/10
Iowa	BI & PD Liab	20/40/15
Kansas	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM	25/50/10
Kentucky	BI & PD Liab, PIP	25/50/10
Louisiana	BI & PD Liab	10/20/10
Maine	BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM	50/100/25 (4)
Maryland	BI & PD Liab, PIP (5), UM	20/40/15
Massachusetts	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM	20/40/5
Michigan	BI & PD Liab, PIP	20/40/10
Minnesota	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM, UIM	30/60/10
Mississippi	BI & PD Liab	25/50/25
Missouri	BI & PD Liab, UM	25/50/10
Montana	BI & PD Liab	25/50/10
Nebraska	BI & PD Liab	25/50/25
Nevada	BI & PD Liab	15/30/10
New Hampshire	FR only, UM	25/50/25
New Jersey	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM	15/30/5 (6)
New Mexico	BI & PD Liab	25/50/10
New York	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM	25/50/10 (7)
North Carolina	BI & PD Liab	30/60/25
North Dakota	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM	25/50/25
Ohio	BI & PD Liab	12.5/25/7.5
Oklahoma	BI & PD Liab	25/50/25
Oregon	BI & PD Liab, PIP, UM	25/50/10
Pennsylvania	BI & PD Liab, PIP	15/30/5
Rhode Island	BI & PD Liab, UM	25/50/25 (3)
South Carolina	BI & PD Liab, UM	25/50/25
South Dakota	BI & PD Liab, UM	25/50/25
Tennessee	BI & PD Liab	25/50/10 (3)
Texas	BI & PD Liab	25/50/25*
Utah	BI & PD Liab, PIP	25/50/15 (3)
Vermont	BI & PD Liab, UM, UIM	25/50/10
Virginia	BI & PD Liab, UM	25/50/20
Washington	BI & PD Liab	25/50/10
West Virginia	BI & PD Liab, UM	20/40/10
Wisconsin	FR only, UM	25/50/10
Wyoming	BI & PD Liab	25/50/20

1.  The first two numbers refer to bodily injury liability limits and the third number to property liability.  For example, 20/40/10 means coverage up to $40,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $20,000 for one individual, and $10,000 coverage for property damage.
2. Low-cost policy limits for low-income drivers in the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan are 10/20/3.
3. Instead of policy limits, policyholders can satisfy the requirement with a combined single limit policy. Amounts vary by state.
4. In addition, policyholders must also carry at least $1,000 for medical payments.
5. May be waived for the policyholder but is compulsory for passengers.
6. Basic policy (optional) limits are 10/10/5. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverge not available under the basic policy but uninsured motorist coverage is required under the standard policy.
7. In addition, policyholders must have 50/100 for wrongful death coverage.

*Minimum coverage requirements will increase to 30/60/30 on January 1, 2011.

Source: Property Casualty Insurers Association of America; state departments of insurance.

© Insurance Information Institute, Inc. – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages two to
34.

• A motor vehicle death occurs on average every 12 minutes and an injury
  every 12 seconds. About 117 people died each day in motor vehicle crashes
  in 2006.
• Since the first documented crash death in 1899, more than 30 million
  people worldwide have died in traffic crashes.

FATALITIES AND INJURIES

• Overall: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatal Analysis Reporting System in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov ) division reports that 42,642 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2006, down 2.0 percent from 43,510 in 2005. 2006 motor vehicle fatalities were at the lowest level in five years. While deaths among passenger vehicle occupants and nonoccupants fell in 2006, motorcycle riders suffered a 5.1 percent increase. This was the ninth consecutive annual increase in motorcycle rider deaths.In 2006, the number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes fell 4.6 percent from 2,699,000 in 2005 to 2,575,000 in 2006.
• By Vehicle Miles Traveled: The fatality rate—measured as deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled—was 1.41 in 2006, down from 1.46 in 2005.
• By Crash Type: In 2006, there were 5,973,588 police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes, down 3.0 percent from 6,159,252 in 2005. Of total crashes, 1,746,000 caused injuries and 4,189,000 caused property damage only. NHTSA estimates 10 million or more crashes go unreported every year.
• Work-Related: In 2006 crashes involving vehicles on public roadways were the leading cause of work-related fatalities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accounting for 23 percent of all fatal work injuries.
• By Age Group: In 2006, older people (65 and older) made up 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, 14 percent of vehicle occupant fatalities and 19 percent of pedestrian fatalities, in large part because they are frailer and more likely to die from their injuries than younger people. (See Older Drivers paper.) In 2005 (latest data available) there were 29 million older licensed drivers, up from 17 percent in 1995. The total number of drivers rose only 14 percent from 1995 to 2005.In 2006 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 accounted for 12.9 percent of all drivers in fatal crashes and for 16 percent of all drivers in police-reported crashes. In 2005 (latest available data) drivers in this age group accounted for 6.3 percent of all licensed drivers. To reduce high accident rates among young drivers, states are increasingly adopting graduated driver license programs, which allow young drivers to improve their skills and driving habits. (See Teen Driving paper).
• By Driver BehaviorSpeeding: In 2006, 13,543 lives were lost due to speed-related accidents. Speeding was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes. In 2006, 39 percent of 15- to 20-year-old male drivers who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash. NHTSA says that speed-related crashes cost Americans $40.4 billion each year. A crash is considered speed related when the driver is charged with a speed-related offense or a law enforcement officer indicates that exceeding the posted speed limit, driving too fast for conditions or racing was a contributing factor.Drunk Driving: There is an alcohol-related traffic fatality every 29 minutes. In 2006, 17,602 people died in alcohol-related crashes, up slightly from 17,590 in 2005 and was the highest level since 1996. Alcohol was involved in 41 percent of all crash fatalities in 2006. (See Drunk Driving paper.) Alcohol-related crashes are defined as those where someone involved, either a driver or a nonoccupant such as a pedestrian or bicyclist, had a traceable amount of alcohol in his or her blood.Drunk Driving and Speeding: In 2006, 41 percent of intoxicated drivers (with a blood-alcohol content at or above 0.08, the definition of drunkenness) involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with 15 percent of sober drivers involved in fatal crashes.Red Light Running: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says that more than 900 people a year die and nearly 2,000 are injured as a result of vehicles running red lights. About half of those deaths are pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles who are hit by red light runners.

  Fatigue: NHTSA statistics show that at least 100,000 crashes and 1,500 deaths each year are the result of drivers falling asleep at the wheel. A 2002 poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found that 100 million drivers, close to half of American adult drivers, drive while drowsy and nearly two out of ten admitted to having fallen asleep at the wheel. New Jersey passed a law in 2003 that equates falling asleep at the wheel with reckless driving, and if a driver falls asleep and kills someone in a crash, he or she can be charged with vehicular homicide and serve up to ten years in jail and pay fines. Although at least four states have considered similar legislation, New Jersey is the only state with such a law on the books.

• Distracted Driving: A study sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, which surveyed 1,200 drivers between the ages of 18 and 60, found that 81 percent of drivers “multitasked” (engaged in distracting behaviors while driving) at least sometimes. One in eight said he or she changed radio stations or CDs. The same proportion acknowledged drinking a beverage. Almost three-quarters talked on a cell phone, and 68 percent ate a snack. Twenty-three percent acknowledged they experienced road rage and 4 percent said they have driven while intoxicated.
• The January 2007 study also found that the youngest drivers, age 18 to 27, were the most likely to always multitask while driving—35 percent. Thirty percent of drivers age 28 to 44 always multitasked and 21 percent of the 45-to 60-year-olds always multitasked.
• Some form of driver inattention was involved in almost 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes within three seconds of the event, according to an April 2006 study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study broke new ground—earlier research found that driver inattention was responsible for 25 to 30 percent of crashes. The 2006 study found that the most common distraction was the use of cell phones, followed by drowsiness. However, cell phone use was far less likely to be the cause of a crash or near-miss than other distractions. For example, while reaching for a moving object such as a falling cup increased the risk of a crash or near-crash by nine times, talking or listening on a hand-held cell phone only increased the risk by 1.3 times. The study tracked the behavior of the 241 drivers of 100 vehicles for more than one year. The drivers were involved in 82 crashes, 761 near-crashes and 8,295 critical incidents. (See also Cell Phones and Driving.)
• Cell Phone Use: In July 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis released the results of their National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), which found that in 2006 5 percent of drivers used hand-held cell phones, down from 6 percent in 2005, the first decline since the survey began tracking hand-held cell phone use in 2000. The decline in use occurred in a number of driver categories, including female drivers (down from 8 to 6 percent), drivers in the Midwest (down from 8 to 4 percent), drivers age 25 to 69 (down from 6 to 4 percent) and drivers of passenger cars (down from 6 to 4 percent) to name but a few. NOPUS is a probability-based observational survey. Data on driver cell-phone use were collected at random stop signs or stoplights only while vehicles were stopped and only during daylight hours. (See also Cell Phones and Driving.)
• Many studies have shown that using hand-held cell phones while driving can constitute a hazardous distraction. However, the theory that hands-free sets are safer has been challenged by the findings of several studies. A study from researchers at the University of Utah, published in the summer 2006 issue of Human Factors concludes that talking on a cell phone while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk, even if the phone is a hands-free model. An earlier study by researchers at the university found that motorists who talked on hands-free cell phones were 18 percent slower in braking and took 17 percent longer to regain the speed they lost when they braked.
• Deer Collisions: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that there are more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions each year, resulting in 150 occupant deaths, tens of thousands of injuries and over $1 billion in vehicle damage. The average claim for collision damage is about $3,000, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage; claims involving medical payments can add thousands of dollars, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Some states experience more deer collisions than others. According to a study of annual claim statistics, the states with the highest number of accidents involving deer from 2005 to 2006 were: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, Minnesota, Texas, Indiana and South Carolina. The deer migration and mating season generally runs from October through December, and causes a dramatic increase in the movement of the deer population. As a result, more deer-vehicle collisions occur during this period than at any other time of year.
• Hit and Run Crashes: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there were 1,106 fatal hit and run crashes in 2005, that is, crashes where the driver left the scene after a collision with a person not in a motor vehicle. In this analysis NHTSA does not include hit and run collisions between vehicles only. Hit and run crashes in 2005 were up 20.6 percent from 917 in 2000. In 2005, 2,610 people died in these crashes, a 14.4 percent increase from 2,281 in 2000. There were 1,231 vehicles involved in these crashes I n 2006, up 20.0 percent from 1,026 in 2000.
• By VehicleSUVs: The number of people killed in SUV rollover crashes fell 0.2 percent from 2,895 in 2005 to 2,888 in 2006, according to NHTSA. In 2006 SUVs had the highest occupant fatality rate of any vehicle type in rollover crashes at 7.77 per 100,000 registered vehicles. This compares with 6.98 for pickup trucks, 3.10 for vans and 3.18 for passenger cars.Motorcycles: NHTSA says that in 2006, 4,810 motorcyclists died in crashes, marking the ninth consecutive year of increasing motorcycle deaths and a 5.1 percent increase from 4,576 in 2005. 2006 fatalities were the highest since 1981. In addition, motorcycle rider fatalities increased to 11.3 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities, compared with 5.0 percent in 1997. (See Motorcycle Crashes paper.) Between 1997 and 2006, motorcycle fatalities rose 127 percent. In 2005 (latest data available for registration statistics) motorcycles accounted for about 3 percent of all registered motor vehicles and 0.4 percent of vehicle miles traveled. However, per vehicle mile traveled in 2005, motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash and eight times more likely to be injured.Large Trucks: According to NHTSA, 4,995 people died in crashes involving large trucks in 2006, compared with 5,240 in 2005, a decrease of 4.7 percent. Although large trucks amounted to 3 percent of all registered vehicles in 2005 (latest year available for registration statistics), they accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2006. One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2006 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.

Here are some tips from carmaintenancetips.org for getting the most mileage from your tank:

Replacing air, oil, fuel filters and doing regular maintenance and service on your van will pay in the short, medium and long term. It will save you money in fuel costs, cut down on gas guzzling and make every gallon in your tank go further. The right grade of oil and optimal fuel type that your vehicle was designed for is best recommended to make the most of any van fuel economy strategy or plan that you want to implement and practically make a difference. Your owner’s manual will have more cues and clues as to make this part of the fuel equation work its magic for you.

Rotating, balancing and having tires optimally pressurized can also cut down on drag and make positive contributions to van fuel economy that you will feel in your pocket. You will start saving by the mile and gallon before you know it!

A great van fuel economy tip has to do with the wheels and tires. Yes, we can focus on the engine, oil, vehicle, driver’s driving habits and style, type of fuel etc., but something so significant can oftentimes be overlooked. Everyone wants to spend as little as they can for the gas that they put into the vehicle they drive. One good fuel economy tip is about tire maintenance. Not only should you be maintaining the engine of your car, you should also be paying attention the tires that you are driving on. Purchase a tire gauge and check your car’s tire pressure every month. Traveling on under-inflated tires will cause you to use up more gas and they wear out quicker. All resulting in higher costs for you, which is the last thing you want to hear when your ultimate focus is on van fuel economy!

For many the minivan is increasingly becoming the optimal choice for making the most of fuel efficiency, lowering consumption, emissions and not robbing your wallet dry at the pumps, while providing safety, reliability and performance at an affordable price. Not compromising on quality, price or value, not even with rising gas prices. Recent online statistics show the following:

§ 136,000,000+ passenger and commuter cars registered in the United States,

§ Travel distances on average of 12,000-18,000 miles (19,000-29,000km) annually

§ US cars for private use gobble upward of 90 billion gallons of gasoline every year which increases as we keep putting more of them on our roads.

In the light of these numbers, van fuel economy is a top priority and imperative for EVERYONE, not a mere luxury anymore for a chosen few! We can all do our part.

Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or access information on the Internet. Your state insurance department may also provide a means to compare prices.

Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Some sell through their own agents. Some sell through independent agents who offer policies from several insurance companies. Other companies sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the Internet. The price may vary depending on the sales method.

But don’t shop by price alone. You want a company that answers your questions and handles claims fairly and efficiently. Sources for finding the right kind of company include: word of mouth, i.e. friends, relatives, co-workers; your state insurance department, where you can find consumer complaint ratios by company; and consumer magazines. You can also check the financial health of insurance companies through independent rating companies.

Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs

Your premium is based in part on the car’s sticker price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft, such as air bags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and anti-theft devices.

For more information on car safety, check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Cars that are favorite targets for thieves cost more to insure. For more information on car theft, check the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Ask for a higher deductable

Your deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance policy kicks in. By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage premium by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to have the amount of the deductible on hand should something happen to your car.

Reduce coverage in older cars

Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars. It may not be cost-effective to continue insuring cars worth less than 10 times the amount you would pay for coverage. Any claim payment you receive would not substantially exceed your premiums minus the deductible. Claims occur on average only once every 11 or 12 years. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the worth of a car, or you can look it up online at Kelley Blue Book.

Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer
Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them. Also, you may get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company. Some insurers reduce premiums for long-time customers. But shop around carefully; you may still save more money buying from a different insurance company even with the multi-policy discount.

Take advantage of low-mileage discounts
Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive a lower than average number of miles per year. Low mileage discounts can also apply to drivers who carpool to work.

Ask about group insurance
You may be eligible to get insurance through a group plan from your employer, or through professional, business and alumni groups or other associations. Group plans often provide substantial discounts. Ask your employer, or any groups or clubs of which you are a member, about this option.

Maintain good credit
Your credit rating may affect what you pay for insurance, so monitor it carefully. You can get this information directly from the three major credit-rating agencies (Equifax, Experian, Trans Union). There are also various Web sites that allow you to check your credit rating and provide tips on how to improve your score.

Seek out safe driver discounts
Most insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who have not had any accidents or moving violations for a number of years. You may also qualify for a cut if you have recently taken a defensive driving course, if you are over 50 and retired, or if there is a young driver on the policy who is a good student, has taken a drivers education course or is away at a college, generally at least 100 miles away.

When you comparison shop, be sure to inquire about discounts for the following (availability will vary according to the state and company):

• 1. • No accidents in 3 years
     • No moving violations in 3 years
     • Drivers over 50 to 55 years of age
     • Driver training course
     • Defensive driving course
     • Student drivers with good grades
     • College students away from home
     • $500 deductible
     • $1,000 deductible
     • Air bags
     • Anti-lock brakes
     • Daytime running lights
     • Anti-theft device
     • Low annual mileage
     • Auto and homeowners coverage with the same company
     • More than one car insured with the same company
     • Long-time customer

But don’t forget that the key to savings is not the discounts but the final price. A company that offers few discounts may still have a lower overall price.

• Auto insurance provides property, liability and medical coverage:
• Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car.
• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage.
• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses.

An auto insurance policy is comprised of six different kinds of coverage. Most states require you to buy some, but not all, of these coverages. If you’re financing a car, your lender may also have requirements.

Most auto policies are for six months to a year. Your insurance company should notify you by mail when it’s time to renew the policy and to pay your premium.

Fortunately there are a number of things you can do to give your night vision a fighting chance. Here are some tips from Joseph D. Younger writing in Westways magazine for AAA – the American Automobile Association.

1 Wear a hat and sunglasses during the day

Exposure to bright sunlight, especially at the beach or on the ski slopes, effectively “bleaches” the photoreceptors in your eyes and lengthens the time it takes them to adjust to the dark. Normally, your eyes reach full dark adaptation in about 30 minutes.

But studies show that as little as two to three hours of bright sunlight can delay adaptation by hours. And the longer you stay in the sun, the worse your night vision gets. For instance, 10 consecutive days of full-sun exposure can reduce your visual acuity, range, and contrast discrimination at night by 50 percent. Experts recommend wearing neutral-gray sunglasses and a hat with a brim during the day to maximize your vision at night.

2 Take vitamins

“The photochemical reactions in the retina require a baseline level of certain vitamins, especially vitamin A,” says Dr. Jeffrey L. Weaver, clinical care director of the American Optometric Association. A multivitamin does the trick for most people, but your eye doctor or pharmacist can give you the scoop on specific vitamins required for healthy vision.

3 Clean your windshield

Experts recommend cleaning your car’s windows inside and out, especially the windshield, at least once a week. Light is refracted through a dirty windshield, which intensifies glare. And you see less reflection in clean glass. Wash your headlights, too. Even a thin layer of road grime can reduce the light they cast by as much as 90 percent.

4 Dim the dash lights

Keep the rheostat (dimmer) on your instrument panel adjusted so that the instruments remain safely legible, but no brighter. The lower the light inside your car, the better you can see outside. Some carmakers, most notably BMW and Pontiac, use red-lit instrument panels. That’s because red light’s longer wavelength doesn’t affect your retinal rods (the receptors most responsible for vision in dim light). Basically, red-lit instruments allow your eyes to maintain their full dark adaptation, so you can better see what’s happening beyond your windows.

5 Look away, look away

When oncoming headlights shine into your eyes, resist the temptation to look directly at them. Instead, cast your gaze toward the white line marking the edge of the pavement. The glare won’t be as blinding.

6 At night, pump gas with one eye closed

This technique helps with recovery from “flash blindness”—the condition that occurs when a few seconds of brightness robs your eyes of night vision for a while—for example, when you expose your eyes to the bright lights of service plazas. Even a short exposure to bright lights undoes the adaptation process and “resets” the mechanism. You start all over again, slowly working your way back to full dark adaptation. But since your eyes adapt independently, shielding one eye from brightness preserves night vision in the protected eye.

7 Adjust your mirrors

Besides flipping your car’s center-mounted rearview mirror to its “night” setting, you can eliminate reflected glare from headlights behind you by adjusting your outboard mirrors properly.

It’s easy. While sitting in the driver’s seat, lean to the left until your head rests against the window. Adjust the driver-side outboard mirror so that you can just see the rear fender at the inside edge of the mirror. Then sit upright again and tilt your head to the right until it’s approximately in the center of the vehicle. Adjust the passenger-side outboard mirror so that you can just see the rear fender at the inside edge of the mirror. These settings not only eliminate blind spots, they also keep the brightest portions of trailing cars’ headlights from shining directly into your eyes.

8 Wear eyeglasses with antireflective coating

If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll definitely notice a big difference with an antireflective coating. “A typical lens, even a clear one, will reflect 8-10 percent of white light that comes into contact with it,” Weaver says. On the other hand, lenses with an antireflective coating transmit more than 99 percent of light and eliminate internal reflections.

And forget about those yellow-tinted “blue-blocker” lenses that supposedly improve contrast in low light. They do block lower-wavelength light—but at night, lower-wavelength (blue) light is the only light available. Since you need all the light you can get after dark, yellow lenses actually make your night vision worse.

9 Get your eyes checked regularly

According to medical experts, people under 40 should have an eye exam every three years; people in their 40s and 50s, every two years; and folks 60 and older, every year. Incipient cataracts are a prime cause of deteriorating night vision and glare sensitivity.

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