HOW SAFE ARE YOU DRIVING AT NIGHT?

Is it more dangerous to drive at night? According to the National Safety Council, you are three times more likely to be in an accident resulting in a traffic death after dark. Driving at night is inherently more dangerous due to the lack of light, impaired drivers, fatigue, and rush hour. For drivers who have compromised night vision, the danger of being in a motor vehicle accident may be even higher because the driver may not see dangerous conditions in time to avoid them.

Because most of us cannot avoid driving after dark, there are things we can do to decrease our risk of being in a car accident at night. The steps we take now may prevent a serious car accident that claims the life of someone we love.

Safety Tips for Driving At Night

What can you do to avoid an accident when driving at night?

• Check headlights, signal lights, and taillights. Replace burned out bulbs immediately and clean light covers regularly.
• Keep your car windows clean to enhance your ability to see.
• Have you headlights checked to ensure they are not misaligned. Misaligned headlights impair your ability to see oncoming traffic and obstructions in addition to impairing other drivers’ ability to see.
• Do not drive if you are drowsy or fatigued. Your ability to react and concentrate is reduced when you are tired or drowsy.
• Do not drink and drive or take drugs that impair your ability to drive.
• Take breaks often if you are driving at night.
• If you wear corrective lenses, never drive without wearing your glasses or contacts.
• When you are following another vehicle or approaching another vehicle, turn off your high beams.
• If an oncoming vehicle does not turn off its high beams, look to the right edge of the road and use that as a guide to avoid being blinded by the other vehicle’s high beams.
• Use your headlights whenever you are in doubt — dusk, twilight, etc.
• Reduce speed and distance. Speeding and following too closely contribute to many nighttime accidents.
• Keep your inside lights off to avoid distraction.

Teen drivers may be at a higher risk for accident while driving at night due to inexperience. 

To help your teen driver be safer while driving at night, spend time riding with your teen driver at night. The more time you can spend in the car with your teen driver, the better you can judge how much additional instruction your teen driver needs.

What Should You Do If You Are In An Accident?

As with any time of day, some accident are unavoidable regardless of the safety measures you take. If you are in a nighttime accident, pull over to a safe place on the side of the road, if possible, and call 911. At night, you must be very careful about exiting your vehicle because other drivers may not see you. Unless absolutely necessary for safety reasons, try to remain in your vehicle until emergency personnel arrive.

If another driver has caused an accident and you are injured, contact our Sacramento personal injury attorneys for a free legal consultation. Contact Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website.

You have the legal right to receive compensation for injuries, losses, and damages resulting from a car accident caused by another driver. Call us today to find out how we can help you receive the maximum compensation allowable under California’s personal injury laws.