Daylight savings time is almost over, and that means more driving while it's dark. The fact that we lose an hour of daylight in fall may sound insignificant, but the end of daylight saving time results in a 16% increase in collisions with deer, according to a 2022 study. An increase in fatal car crashes following the end of daylight savings time was also observed in a published medical study from 1995 that reviewed data between 1987 and 1991.

With the extra hour of darkness during commute times, we need to adjust our habits to improve our ability to see at night. Learn why driving in the dark can be hazardous and how to see better and drive more safely after dark.

Why driving in the dark is harder

Simply put, it's harder to see in low light. Other issues make things worse, like headlight glare and interior cab lighting. 

In the US, newer vehicles have brighter headlights, causing more glare and afterimages. Technology like LED bulbs and laser emitters make driving on the road at night akin to a strobe attack.

Some drivers inherently have a harder time adjusting to low light, such as older people and anyone with vision problems like nearsightedness, astigmatism or glaucoma.

9 tips for safer driving at night

Luckily, there are a few simple ways to reduce vision problems when driving after dark.

Keep your windshield clean to reduce glare

Glare can increase when your windshield is dirty, as dirt disperses light. Certain treatments, like rain repellent, can also increase glare on your windshield at night. Keep your windshield as clear as possible to reduce glare and help visibility. AAA says a dirty windshield can also limit or obstruct your field of vision, and it recommends aiming for cleaning your windshield at least once a week.

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Keep your headlights clean 

The Mayo Clinic says you can also help increase visibility by ensuring your headlights are free from dirt and debris.  Checking for clean headlights is especially important if you live in a dusty region or are in an area where hitting bugs is common. 

Use high beams when necessary

Be sure to use your high beams on rural roads near forests or fields, and as the National Safety Council recommends, on longer or wider stretches of road. High beams can help you see deer in these instances, but avoid using high beams in bad weather like rain or fog, as it can reduce visibility. Turn off high beams when going up hills or around bends to avoid shining high beams in other drivers' eyes.

Don't look directly at oncoming headlights

It may be instinctive to look directly at a flash of oncoming headlights coming over the hill or around a corner, but practice averting your gaze. Looking into bright headlights can temporarily impair your vision, and may also leave afterimages, making it harder to see once the vehicle has passed.

Check headlight alignment during car inspections

The Mayo Clinic also recommends working with your mechanic to ensure headlights are correctly aimed. Wear and tear on your car can cause misalignment, and some cars are manufactured with misaligned headlights. US laws don't require manufacturers to test alignment after the headlights are installed, according to NBC News. The result can be devastating glare for other nighttime drivers, plus reduced visibility for you.

Dim your interior lights

Interior lights should always be off or dimmed when driving at night. They make your eyes more used to light, which can reduce your night vision (our eyes typically take a few minutes to adjust to darkness). If your interior lights are on to help you (or a passenger) see something inside your vehicle, it may add to the existing distractions. Interior lights are also one more light source to reflect off your windshield.

Keep your eyeglasses clean

Like dirt on a windshield, smudges on your glasses can disperse light and add to glare problems. Make sure to clean your eyewear properly, using a cloth made for eyeglasses, warm water or moisturizer-free mild dish soap, according to Heartland Optical. Wiping your glasses on your shirt may be a common practice, it can also introduce extra dirt and scratch lenses, obscuring vision further.

Read more: https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/best-places-to-buy-glasses-online/ Best Places to Buy Eyeglasses Online

Wear the right eyeglasses 

Keep up on those optometrist appointments so your doctor can confirm you're wearing the correct prescription. Also, you can look into anti-reflective lenses, which have a coating that decreases reflective light. Avoid eyeglass styles that obstruct peripheral vision. 

Other options include night driving glasses, which commonly have yellow lenses designed to reduce glare from headlights. Be sure to talk to your doctor before using them; some professionals think they could make your night vision worse instead of better.

Read more: Are You Squinting Right Now? It's Time to Get Your Vision Checked

Keep yourself alert for driving

Even small time changes can leave us feeling jet-lagged. Daylight saving time can throw off your circadian rhythm (that internal clock that tells you when to go to bed and when to stay up), according to Northwestern Medicine, and being tired can lead to blurred vision. 

Adjusting to the end of daylight saving time can help you be more alert for driving. Check out our guide to recalibrating your internal alarm clock.

If you're running your pasta under water after it's done cooking, we know an Italian chef who would like a word. And if you think adding olive to your pasta water will keep the noodles from sticking, think again. 

Americans eat roughly 20 pounds of the Italian staple per year, making it one of the most widely consumed foods by weight. All that pasta cooking has inspired some interesting theories about how to make it better, faster and easier. Unfortunately, some of our favorite pasta hacks may not be doing what we think -- or worse, compromising the finished product.

Best Places to Buy Speciality Ingredients Online See at Cnet

To find out if rinsing pasta is wise, and to learn about other pasta-making mistakes we might be making, we grilled Filippo de Marchi, the chef de cuisine at De Majo Restaurant & Terrace. Marchi named seven myths or mistakes that are thought to help when making penne, linguini or lasagna but have no real benefit or function.

"Cooking pasta isn't difficult at all. It's all about timing and the right water-to-pasta ratio," he says. "Don't fall into the trap of believing in pasta myths. Just trust your instincts and follow basic instructions."

Here are seven biggest pasta mistakes we're all making and why we should stop, according to someone who knows.

1. Throwing pasta against a wall to see if it sticks proves it's done

"This isn't the best way to check for doneness," says de Marchi. "The texture of the pasta can change when it hits the wall, and it doesn't give an accurate indication of whether it's properly cooked."

Instead, it's more accurate to scoop out a single strand and taste it. You'll then be able to tell if it's achieved that perfect al dente texture. 

2. Adding olive oil to pasta water

Olive oil is a necessary addition to most pasta dishes, but save it for the plate. 

Some folks think it will help keep pasta from sticking when added to boiling past water but "the oil just floats on top of the water and doesn't coat the pasta effectively," says de Marchi. "The best way to prevent sticking is to use plenty of water, stir the pasta regularly during the first few minutes of cooking and make sure to use the right size pot for the amount of pasta you're cooking.

"This way, the pasta has enough space to move around and cook evenly," he adds. 

3. Assuming fresh pasta is always better than dry

Chef's take: FALSE 

It's all about personal preference. Fresh, dry or frozen; chefs aren't here to dictate what your taste buds like and don't like. 

"Fresh pasta has a softer texture and cooks quickly, making it perfect for delicate sauces," says the chef. "On the other hand, dry pasta has a firmer texture and holds up well with hearty or thicker sauces."

De Marchi also compares it to choosing between two great actors for a movie role. "The choice depends on the character they're portraying," he says, "just like the choice between fresh and dry pasta depends on the dish you're making." 

4. Leaving the pot covered while the pasta is cooking

"Leaving the lid off the pot while the pasta is cooking is the way to go," advises de Marchi. "This prevents the water from boiling over and helps control the cooking process. Plus, it allows the steam to escape, which helps prevent the water from foaming up and making a starchy mess." 

As recommended, be sure to also pick an appropriately sized pot so that your pasta cooks evenly. 

5. Adding salt and thinking it will help the water boil faster

Salt plays an important role in pasta water, but not when it comes to heat. (Impurities do change the boiling point of water, but the amount of salt you add to pasta water doesn't make a significant difference.) Rather, it's essential to add salt so that the pasta can absorb its flavor. 

"If you're cooking without enough salt, the pasta can end up tasting a bit bland," warns de Marchi, whose signature dish at NHC Murano Villa is a spaghetti alle vongole. The seafood dish, which hails from the region of ocean-adjacent Venice, is a combination of vongole (typically clams, garlic, white wine and chili flakes), sea asparagus and lemon zest. 

6. Draining pasta until it's completely dry

There is a reason why salted pasta water is held in such high regard. Not only does it contain a delicious brine to enhance sauces, but it also helps the sauce adhere to the pasta itself. 

"This creates a more cohesive and flavorful dish," argues De Marchi. "A little moisture can go a long way in making your pasta dish extra tasty." 

7. Running cooked pasta under water before serving

If you want to subject yourself to a potential injury via a rolling pin or wooden spoon by Nonna, run your cooked pasta under fresh water. 

"This can remove the starchy coating that helps the sauce adhere to the pasta," says de Marchi. "The residual heat from the pasta helps the sauce to marry with the pasta, creating a more flavorful and cohesive dish. Think of it like a beautiful marriage -- you want the sauce and the pasta to come together and live happily ever after, not to undergo a cold shower right before serving." 

8. Precooking sheets of lasagna

"Precooking lasagna sheets isn't always necessary, especially if you're using a sauce with plenty of moisture," he says. "In fact, many lasagna recipes call for using the sheets directly without precooking, allowing them to absorb liquid from the sauce and cook during the baking process."

Set it, forget it and let the magic happen in the oven. Pasta is not something to overthink or stress over. Its simple preparation makes it all the more enjoyable.