Some people fear driving at night and for valid reasons. Seeing other cars on the road can be more challenging at night, especially during poor weather.
Data from 2010 to 2020 shows that the peak fatality hour for car crashes in Texas occurred around 2:22 a.m. If you drive at night, being extra cautious is crucial in avoiding fatal accidents. To help you stay alert behind the wheel, let’s look at the risks to be aware of.
What makes driving at night dangerous?
Low-light conditions can make it challenging for drivers to see their surroundings at night. This issue can be more concerning for older individuals who need more light to see better or have eye conditions, such as cataracts or degenerative eye diseases.
Tiredness is another element that may increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents at night. People driving home from work are those at risk of feeling tired behind the wheel. Lengthy trips, lack of good sleep, long work hours or sleep disorders may also lead to fatigued driving.
Driving during the evening rush hour is also dangerous because the streets are filled with cars, pedestrians and other motorists eager to get home after work.
Stay safe behind the wheel
Older drivers should have annual vision exams to reduce the risk of getting in a car accident at night. This way, they can know potential conditions that may hinder their driving capacity.
You should also get seven or more hours of sleep if you know you will be driving the following day. Moreover, driving when you haven’t slept for more than 16 hours may be dangerous and lead to fatal accidents.
If you are taking long road trips, stop at least every two hours to stretch, but if you still feel drowsy after your stops, pull over to a safe location and take a nap.
If you drive on a busy evening, be patient and avoid unnecessarily switching lanes to get ahead of other cars. This habit can be dangerous if the road is full of vehicles and pedestrians, so stay in your lane. You should remain alert even if you set out on a familiar route from work to home.