Risks Associated With Night Driving

There seems to be no consensus on which is the most dangerous time of the day or night to drive. From research, it is safe to conclude that any time of the day or night can be a dangerous time to drive. So, protecting yourself and your passengers should be your number one priority at any time of the day or night. It is crucial that you always drive safely and watch out for negligent, careless, and reckless drivers, regardless of what time of the day or night it is.

When it comes to night driving, some of the risks faced by drivers include fatigue, compromised night vision, and impaired drivers. This is according to the National Safety Council. According to the NSC, these risks usually become pronounced moving into the weekend. According to the NSC, fatal crashes usually become more frequent on weekends, peaking on Saturdays.

Fatigue

It is unfortunate that most American drivers admit to having gotten behind the wheel while tired at least once in their life. According to the National Sleep Foundation, after dark, tired drivers are often on the road between 12 and 2 a.m. Unfortunately, driving while drowsy puts everyone at risk. It is crucial for drivers to get enough sleep or rest before getting behind the wheel. According to the NSC, sleeping at least 2 hours less than the required time has a similar effect on driving as consuming three beers. It is crucial for drivers to avoid getting behind the wheel if they have been awake for 16 hours or more. Drivers should also adopt the habit of taking a break from driving. According to the National Sleep Foundation, stopping every two hours so you can take a rest can help you avoid drowsy driving.

Compromised Night Vision

As people age, it becomes much harder for them to see well at night. According to the NSC, a 30-year-old driver will see twice as much as compared to a 50-year-old driver. When a motorist reaches the age of 60, it becomes even more difficult for them to drive at night.

Impaired Drivers

According to the CDC, every day, almost 30 people die in the U.S. in motor vehicle accidents that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Other types of impaired drivers that can be found on the road at night include those impaired by prescription medicines and those impaired by other drugs. These types of impaired drivers also pose a great risk to everyone on the road.

According to the NSC, impaired drivers, especially those impaired by alcohol and other drugs, are most frequently on the road after dark – mainly between 12 a.m. and 3 a.m. on weekends.

Contact Us for Legal Help

If, after all your efforts to drive safely at night, you get involved in a night car accident because of another motorist’s negligence, you can recover compensation from the at-fault party. In such a case, our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you file an accident claim against the at-fault motorist and recover the compensation you deserve.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Ocala, and Orlando areas.

Resource:

cdc.gov/transportationsafety/impaired_driving/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fmotorvehiclesafety%2Fimpaired_driving%2Findex.html