Driving at night can be scary. There are many roads that are not very well lit, which can cause people to get into accidents. As we are moving into the winter months, I am sure you have noticed that it is getting dark earlier, and much more quickly. Driving at night comes along with many increased risks. Some of these include fatigue, impaired night vision as well as rush hour. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, even though we only do about a quarter of our driving at night, just about 50% of traffic deaths occur at night. It is imperative that drivers take extra precaution while driving. When the sun goes down, your caution needs to go up.
As mentioned above, there are several factors that can impact your driving while driving at night. Everyone can attest that the darkness makes them tired. This is no exception when you are driving. The National Sleep Foundation states that about half of adult driver will admit to consistently driving while drowsy. This fact shows how prevalent driving while tired is. One way to avoid car accidents while driving at night is to make sure you never drive with too little sleep, and to never get into the car with someone who is tired.
Another major factor that contributes to an increase in accidents at night is compromised night vision. There are not many people that can say they have perfect vision in the dark. Having compromised night vision means that people struggle with seeing well in low-light conditions. This issue can increase as you age. To avoid this compromising you as you drive, you should make sure you get vision exams annually. You should also always be sure to be wearing your glasses or contacts while driving at night, if prescribed.
Rush hour is a threat to drivers no matter how light it is outside. But, as the days get shorter, it starts to get very dark during the rush hour hours. People are rushing to get home, which causes their caution on the roads to decrease. One of the ways to decrease your risk while driving in rush hour in the dark is to increase your patience. Everyone around you will be the opposite, so if you try to be patient and slow down, you can decrease your risk as well as the people’s around you. Another tip is to be aware. You want to be alert and watch out for the people who are speeding quickly from lane to lane. While sitting in traffic, it is very easy to pick up your phone or mess around with other distractions as well. Due to your vision being impaired from the dark, you need to be sure you keep all other distractions out of your sight.
Now that November is here, you want to make sure you are taking all of the precautions needed to keep yourself, and others, safe while driving. Car accidents increase drastically within the winter months. It is important to be aware of the change in brightness and to take the necessary steps to prevent getting into an accident.
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If you would like to speak with an attorney, reach out to us. You can call our firm at 502-273-5178 or contact us online.