Driving at night is inherently dangerous. It’s estimated that half of all car accidents occur at night.
Many drivers have no choice but to drive when the sun is down. It can help to understand how drivers suffer from accidents at night:
Low visibility
A driver’s vision is very important at night. While people have natural night vision, it often isn’t enough to see in the dark while driving, which is why it’s necessary to use headlights. Vehicles without lights on at night may be harder to see by other drivers.
People’s vision at night can be impaired by bright lights. Cars that use their high beams can blind other drivers and make it harder for them to stay within street lines. The light from phones can also reduce a driver’s vision.
Streets that are poorly lit may also create issues for drivers. When streets have no lights, drivers often struggle to see obstacles and dangers ahead of them.
Drowsiness
Many drivers are tired after leaving work around night or to start a night shift. A driver may also become tired from medication. Drowsiness can cause someone to drive unsafely.
Drowsiness has many of the same effects as drunkenness. A tired road user may have poorer vision, make unsafe driving decisions and misjudge distances.
Distractions
Distracted driving happens when a driver is no longer paying attention to the road or has their hands off the wheel. It’s important for drivers to focus while driving so they have every opportunity to avoid accidents. Some common distractions at night are caused by phones, radio and passengers.
Aggression
A driver may make aggressive and dangerous decisions while driving at night because there may be less traffic and police presence. For example, a driver may speed or tailgate on the freeway to force other drivers to move out of their way.
Anything can happen at night. A driver who is suffering from injuries and losses after a car accident may need to learn about their legal options when seeking compensation.
