Preventing Car Accidents at Night

Driving after sunset can help you reach your destination more quickly, but it can also significantly increase your risk of a car accident. In fact, drivers who make their journey at night are three times more likely to get into a wreck, despite less traffic on the roads. However, if you do need to hit the road after sunset, let us help you navigate safely through the darkness.

Why Is Night Driving More Dangerous?

The decreased visibility contributes the most by far to the increased frequency of collisions. With less light, you both see less of the road in front of you and have less time to react. Beyond visibility issues, nighttime driver fatigue, the increased presence of impaired drivers, and greater wildlife activity create more hazards for those who operate their vehicles at night.

How Does Vision Change at Night?

Our visual capabilities undergo significant changes in low-light conditions. According to multiple studies, we have lower depth perception, decreased peripheral vision, and an inhibited ability to distinguish color when driving at night. These visual impairments can make it more difficult to judge distances, detect movement in our side vision, and identify potential hazards by color. In fact, drivers older than 50 need twice the amount of light to see the same as a 30-year-old, which means that older drivers should take extra precautions when driving after dark.

How Can I Improve Visibility While Driving at Night?

Use your lighting system appropriately. Your regular headlights during decent nighttime visibility should suffice, but using your high beams without incoming traffic can help keep you and your passengers safer from otherwise unseen animals or objects on the road. However, you should make sure to only use your high beams when there are no other drivers coming from the opposite direction. If your high beams blind or disorient a driver, instead of avoiding a collision, you could cause one instead.

Should I Adjust My Driving Speed at Night?

Speeding-related crashes account for 37% of night-driving fatalities, compared with 21% of those during daylight hours. Your headlight typically shines 160 feet in front of you, but at just 40 mph, you need 190 feet to come to a complete stop. This discrepancy between your visual range and stopping distance means that you should pay extra attention to the posted speed limits.

How Can I Minimize Glare from Oncoming Headlights?

The glare from an oncoming headlight can temporarily blind you. Try looking up and beyond, slightly to the right of oncoming traffic. This technique can help you maintain your lane position while avoiding the direct glare of approaching vehicles. Your vehicle’s mirrors might also contribute to glare problems, so use your rearview mirror’s anti-glare feature or day/night switches to reduce the glare from cars behind you.

How Can Defensive Driving Help Prevent Night Accidents?

Make sure to adopt these defensive driving techniques for night driving:

1. Double your normal following distance while driving at night.
2. Scan the road constantly, looking for reflections that might indicate animals or obstacles.
3. Avoid distractions like cell phones.
4. Stay sober and avoid taking any prescription medication that could cause drowsiness.
5. Leave early to avoid rushing.

How Can Emergency Preparedness Prevent Night Driving Accidents?

If you absolutely need to take a long road trip after dark, prepare ahead of time for possible collisions by preparing an emergency kit. This kit should include the following:

• Reflective warning triangles or flares.
• A powerful flashlight with extra batteries.
• A reflective vest to wear if you need to exit the vehicle.
• A fully charged mobile phone and car charger.
• Blankets for warmth during the winter months.
• Basic first-aid supplies.
• Jumper cables and basic tools.
• Non-perishable snacks and water.

Getting Legal Help After a Nighttime Driving Accident with the Belleville Car Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm

Even if you drive safely and exercise all possible precautions, accidents still occur. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a nighttime car accident due to another party’s actions, contact the Belleville car accident lawyers at The Cates Law Firm to help you seek compensation for your injury. Our team of personal injury lawyers has extensive experience handling car accident cases; we will put your needs first and help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Call us today at 618-277-3644 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Swansea, Illinois, we proudly serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois.