Having passed the winter solstice, the days are slowly getting longer. It will still be a while, however, until we can reliably expect to have daylight during our evening commutes. With the increased risk of accidents in the dark, we need to be careful about not only how we drive but also how well we deal with other drivers on the road.
Why Night Driving Is So Dangerous
According to research carried out by the National Safety Council, the risk of a fatal crash is three times higher at night than during the day. There are many factors that contribute to this increased risk.
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Major Factor of Reduced Visibility
Normal headlights, even when angled correctly, only provide adequate vision for about 250 feet; high beams extend only to about 500 feet. This is significantly less visual information on road conditions than we receive during daylight, and that reduces our chances of seeing and reacting to hazards.
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Your Age Factor
The effect of limited visibility also gets worse with age, with a driver at 50 years old requiring twice as much light as a 30-year-old.
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Your Fatigue Level
Driving while tired is also a contributing factor to nighttime hazards. The effects of drowsy driving may not be time-dependent, but drowsy driving is more likely when you are out during a time when your body would normally like to be asleep. Most crashes or near-misses occur during normal resting periods such as 4 – 6 a.m. or midnight – 2 a.m.
It is important that drivers are aware of their fatigue and avoid situations where they run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Losing just two hours of sleep hinders safe driving to the same extent as drinking three beers.
When Accidents Happen, We Can Help
It is your responsibility to do the best you can to drive safely, avoid drowsy driving, and adjust for limited light conditions. When other drivers do not take their responsibility as seriously, however, they may cause an accident.
When this happens, you need to seek justice with the support of a legal team that will fight to get what you deserve. If you have been the victim of a night-driving accident, contact us today to fight back.