Driving at night can be hard to avoid, especially at this time of year when the nights are long. Yet it is important to realize that nighttime driving is typically more difficult than driving during the day, as the lack of light makes it harder to see others on the road and for them to see you. That can make crashes more likely. The later a driver sees someone, the less time they have to react.
Older drivers in particular may struggle to see others at night, as their eyes are less efficient at processing the available light than those of younger people. Aside from the fact that everyone will see each other later than in the daytime, what are other dangers of driving at night?
Tiredness
The hours of darkness are when the human body naturally starts to feel sleepy. A driver who is struggling to keep their eyes open is a danger to themselves and others. Not only is it their eyes that are closing, but their brain is also moving into resting mode rather than the alert mode needed to drive safely.
Impaired drivers
While you could come across an alcohol or drug-impaired driver at any time of day, you are more likely to do so at night. More people go to bars and parties at night than in the day. More people relax at home with a marijuana or alcohol in the evening than in the day.
If you suffer injuries in a nighttime collision, learning more about how to claim compensation could help you cover the costs that result, such as medical treatment and lost income.
