Safety Tips for Driving at Night
Many people don’t look forward to driving at night. After all, the idea of being on one of Florida’s highways in the dark is not necessarily a pleasant concept. All of the scenery that normally makes our state so beautiful is cloaked by darkness and the reality is that driving at night can be very different from driving during the day. But unfortunately, driving at night is not just a nuisance – it is also a dangerous time to be on the road. Therefore, every driver should take extra precaution to avoid ending up in a car accident when driving at night.
How Dangerous is Driving at Night?
Statistics suggest that there are many potential dangers on the road in the evening. According to the National Safety Council, Americans only do about 25 percent of driving at night. However, a disturbing 50 percent of accidents that occur in this country happen during the nighttime hours.
Avoiding Nighttime Accidents
Causes of nighttime car accidents are endless, but many begin due to similar circumstances, many of which are avoidable. Some causes of the accidents that occur after dark include:
- Speeding
- Fatigued drivers
- Drug or alcohol use
- Low visibility
- Misusing or failing to use headlights
- Poor vehicle maintenance
The good news is that being aware of the heightened risk of driving at night and undertaking precautions can help you avoid an accident. Safety measures you should implement for nighttime driving include:
- Keep up with your car. You should regularly clean your windows and your head and tail lights and ensure they are in working order for maximum nighttime visibility.
- Don’t engage in distracted driving. While texting and driving and similar behaviors are never a good idea (and also happens to be illegal in many circumstances while behind the wheel), driving at night already comes with enough visual difficulties that require your attention without you trying to juggle another activity along with it.
- Never drink and drive. Merely having one drink can alter your thought process, alter your reaction time, and cause fatigue while driving.
- Remain on high alert. Keep your eyes open for animals, pedestrians, stopped cars and other hazards that may be on the road and be harder to see. If you find yourself getting tired, consider pulling over to a safe place and getting a caffeinated beverage or taking a nap before you continue.
We Offer Help in a Time of Darkness.
If you or a loved one are injured in a car crash that you believe was caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, hiring a personal injury attorney should never be a question. Personal injury cases can be very complex and investigating the cause of the crash and liability should be left to a legal team that focuses on helping accident victims every day. As the experienced Miami personal injury attorneys of the Pendas Law Firm, we have the knowledge you can depend on to help you obtain the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today – there’s no obligation to use our services and no fees unless we obtain compensation for you, so you have nothing to lose.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/night-driving
https://www.pendaslaw.com/why-you-should-hire-a-personal-injury-attorney-after-your-car-accident/