The Dangers That Drivers Face at Night

Mississippi residents should know that the risk for a fatal car crash triples at night, according to the National Safety Council. The following are just a few reasons why driving at night is more dangerous than driving at any other time of day, and they are worth keeping in mind as drivers adapt to the end of Daylight Saving Time.

The night compromises a driver’s depth perception, color identification and peripheral vision. Furthermore, night vision will diminish with age, so older drivers may need more light on the road than younger drivers. While high-beam headlights can reach about 500 feet in front of a vehicle, a speeding driver will still have lowered reaction times at night.

Fatigue and impairment, either from drugs or alcohol, are two other dangers to watch out for. The National Sleep Foundation says that most drowsiness-related car crashes and near misses occur from midnight to 2 a.m., 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Alcohol-related crashes result in an average of 30 deaths every day, according to the CDC.

Rush hour, usually lasting between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, can compound the challenges that drivers face at night. To stay safe, drivers should watch for others who dart from lane to lane, take familiar routes and never engage in calling, texting, eating and other distracting activities.

When negligence is behind an auto accident, a victim may be able to file a claim for damages that covers their medical expenses, vehicle repair costs and other losses. A victim can even sue for punitive damages if the driver was reckless (drove drunk or exhibited road rage, for example). Whatever the situation, a lawyer can assist with the filing process.