It should come as no surprise that night driving is generally more dangerous, but many motorists are surprised at just how dangerous it is.
Nearly half – 49 percent – of all fatal car accidents happen at night, even though nighttime driving makes up only about a quarter of traffic activity, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Rates of fatal accidents per mile driven at night are nearly three times higher than during the day, which underscores the importance of taking extra precautions when driving after sunset.
Why Driving at Night Is More Dangerous
The main reason why driving at night is so dangerous is the most obvious: poor visibility. Low-light conditions drastically reduce visibility, and the difference only gets more significant as drivers get older. Reduced visibility leads to impaired reaction times, making it harder for drivers to avoid potential hazards. These dangers increase in poorly lit areas.
Due to natural rhythms, drivers may be more fatigued at night and more likely to fall asleep at the wheel. For example, people who work long shifts might be driving at night and be tired and distracted from work. Nighttime also carries a higher risk of impaired and drunk drivers, especially in the later hours after midnight.
Who Is Most at Risk for Nighttime Accidents?
Some groups, particularly teenage drivers, are more likely to get into nighttime accidents than others. Teen drivers’ fatal crash rate at night per mile driven is three times higher than similar adult drivers, according to data from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Teen-related traffic deaths are most likely to occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 12 midnight.
Other groups that may have an elevated risk of accidents at night include:
- Elderly drivers
- Motorists with vision problems
- Inexperienced drivers
- New drivers
How to Stay Safe While Driving at Night
Given the enhanced risk of nighttime driving, it’s imperative for drivers to take reasonable precautions when operating a vehicle after sundown. Here are some safety tips for safer night driving:
- Don’t drive if you are fatigued or tired.
- Reduce your speed below the posted speed limit.
- If possible, avoid two-lane highways to prevent being blinded by oncoming headlights.
- Keep mirrors and windshields clean to maximize visibility.
- Adjust your headlights so you can clearly see the stretch of road in front of your car.
- Dim your dashboard so that the interior lights don’t impede your vision.
- Use your high beams to improve visibility on unlit roads, but switch to low beams when encountering oncoming traffic and approaching other vehicles from behind.
- Minimize distractions like texting or talking to passengers.
- Don’t take any prescription medications that could affect your driving at night.
Get Legal Help from Our Alabama Car Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a nighttime car accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses related to the crash. Let the experienced car accident attorneys with Morris, King & Hodge P.C. help you demand it.
Contact our office online or call today to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in North Alabama.
