Staying Safe While Driving at Night
Summer is gone and the kids are back in school. We are at the point in the year when it’s almost time for cider and pumpkin spiced everything. That also means that the days have already started getting shorter and concurrently, the nighttime is quickly getting longer. And unfortunately, night driving is a top cause of car accidents. According to the National Safety Council, the risk of a fatal crash is three times greater at night.
What Factors Make Nighttime Be So Dangerous?
There are several factors that make driving at night more risky than traveling during the daytime for both the driver who gets behind the wheel and the others on the road. These factors include:
- Drowsiness. Unfortunately, people are more likely to be fatigued at night, and that has the potential to be dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This also results in an estimated 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries.
- Low visibility. Sunlight provides the strongest light source for those traveling from one destination to another. And no matter how many man-made lights are in place to help drivers safely navigate the roads, there is no question that it’s easier for drivers to see during the daytime than at night.
- Greater impairment. It is also much more likely for people to have used drugs or alcohol before climbing behind the wheel of a car at night and unfortunately, there is a lower chance that an impaired driver will notice suddenly changing road conditions that can lead to an accident than a sober one.
How Can Drivers Stay Safe While Driving at Night?
While every accident can’t be avoided, drivers must take precautions to avoid a car accident and this is especially true at night. Because of the dangers associated with driving at night, we recommend minimizing nighttime driving as much as you can. And if you have to drive at night, make sure that you:
- Reduce your speed
- Minimize your distractions
- Pull over if you feel yourself falling asleep
- Make sure your headlights are clean and working
- Use prescribed contacts or glasses
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Nighttime Accident?
Unfortunately, nighttime is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road and car accidents that occur at night can result in some of the most tragic injuries. If you’re injured in a car accident that occurred at night, you should obtain the medical help you need and then reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. As the Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping victims of a night driving accident pursue proper compensation from the parties responsible for their injuries. Reach out today to begin the process of holding the responsible parties accountable.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/night-driving
