Crashes can happen at any time of the day. Even though there’s often less traffic after the sun sets, it’s estimated that nearly half of all fatal car accidents happen at night.
There are a number of contributing factors that make driving at night so dangerous. Here’s what you should know.
Common dangers of driving at night
One of the biggest causes of nighttime auto accidents is low visibility. When drivers’ vision is impaired, they may be more likely to be involved in a crash.
Here are some more factors that lead to nighttime auto accidents:
- Bright lights: While low visibility is one issue at night for drivers, bright lights can make safe driving harder. For example, when a car has its high beams on, it may blind other drivers and cause a crash.
- Distractions: Distracted driving is dangerous no matter what time of day it is. Phone use is the most common driving distraction. However, at night, the bright light on a phone screen can reduce a driver’s vision and distract them from the road.
- Unfamiliar roads: When someone drives on unfamiliar roads, they are often more cautious. However, it can be difficult to drive on unfamiliar roads and spot obstacles at night, especially if a street is poorly lit.
- Impaired drivers: There are generally more drunk drivers at night — especially around the time when bars close. Drunk driving impairs a driver’s senses, which can make it harder for them to judge distances and react to dangers.
- Fatigue: Drivers may be more tired at night. Drivers who are fatigued often experience similar issues that drunk drivers face. A drowsy driver could also fall asleep behind the wheel.
People who have suffered injuries and losses in auto accidents and are seeking compensation can benefit from learning about their legal options.