Night Driving Safety

If you’ve ever driven at various times of the day, you know that it’s much easier to drive during the day. The main reason for this is that visibility is much better. Once it starts getting dark, it’s harder to see what’s on the road. It’s easy to collide with road hazards, animals, and pedestrians.

Statistics back this up. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal accidents are three times more likely at night compared with daytime. With less room and time to see the road in front of you and stop quickly, crashes are much more common. Here’s how to avoid them.

Drive Defensively
The risk of fatal crashes involving alcohol impairment is nearly four times higher at night than during the day. While you should never drive under the influence, night driving demands heightened defensive driving. Expect the unexpected from other motorists and be prepared to react quickly. Increase your following distance, scan the road ahead, and stay alert for sudden lane changes or erratic behavior from impaired drivers.

Avoid Fatigue
Drowsy driving crashes occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m. During these hours, be aware that some drivers may be struggling to stay awake — and you could be, too. To keep yourself alert, drink a caffeinated beverage, pull over in a safe location for a rest, or stop for the night if necessary.

Keep Your View Crystal Clear
A dirty or damaged windshield can scatter light, increasing glare and reducing visibility. Similarly, clouded or scratched headlights can both limit your own view and cause glare for other drivers. Regularly clean your windshield inside and out and maintain your headlights. Headlight restoration kits can improve brightness and help ensure safer night driving.

Reduce Your Speed
Night driving reduces visibility and reaction time. Speeding plays a role in 37% of nighttime-driving fatalities, compared to 21% during daylight. Adjust your speed to match road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Use High Beams Wisely

High beams can greatly improve visibility in rural or low-traffic areas, but they must be dimmed within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and avoided when following closely. Consider cars with adaptive lighting systems that automatically adjust beam intensity based on surrounding traffic.

Watch for Wildlife
Animal collisions are most common at dusk and nighttime, especially between October and January. Use high beams when safe to detect the glow of animal eyes. If you spot wildlife, slow down and prepare to stop. Swerving can cause loss of control or secondary collisions.

Protect Your Vision
Annual eye exams are important, as glare sensitivity can increase with age. Ask your eye doctor if you need a different prescription for night driving to maintain sharp vision in low-light conditions.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

 Driving at night can be difficult for even the best drivers. You need to stay alert and drive defensively to prevent serious accidents.

In a crash? Get the help you need from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We will work to get you compensation for injuries and other damages. Fill out the online form or call (281) 347-3247 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

living.geico.com/driving/auto/car-safety-insurance/driving-at-night/