Cars are still abundant on Texas roadways, even after the sun sets for the day. You may be out finishing your errands, coming home from work or going to dinner with friends. While you may be familiar with navigating the roads at night, you may be unaware of the increased dangers that come with nighttime driving. In fact, you are three times more likely to lose your life in a car accident at night than you are during the day. It is important to understand the dangers of nighttime driving so you can minimize your risk of becoming involved in a deadly accident.
The most common hazard associated with driving at night are low-light conditions. While the road may be lit with street lights and the headlights from other vehicles, a lack of natural light can cause a reduced ability to see clearly. People often experience reduced peripheral vision and depth perception at night, which can make it difficult to tell the speed and distance of oncoming cars when pulling out in traffic. This is especially true for older drivers, as their eyes require more light to process information and they may experience a reduced response time.
The glare from oncoming headlights can cause temporary blindness for drivers. It can be difficult to see pedestrians, bicyclists, traffic signs, crosswalks, animals and other hazards in the road. You should avoid looking directly into headlights to avoid this from happening. Furthermore, there are a higher number of drunk drivers on the road at night. You should never engage in distracted driving habits while driving at night, and keep your full concentration on the road at all times.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.