Driving After Dark: What You Need to Know

Statistics show that drivers are at a far greater risk of being in an accident after the sun goes down. Your ability to see the road and react on time to prevent a crash is greatly diminished. Visibility is limited to 250 feet with normal headlights and 500 feet with high-beam headlights.

DRIVING AFTER DARK: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Photo by Ram Maru on Unsplash

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about half of crashes occur at night. Nighttime crashes are also more deadly. The fatality rate per mile of travel is about three times as high as daytime hours. The National Safety Council has these tips for driving at night:

  • Aim your headlights correctly, and make sure they’re clean
  • Dim your dashboard
  • Look away from oncoming lights
  • If you wear glasses, make sure they’re anti-reflective
  • Clean the windshield to eliminate streaks
  • Slow down to compensate for limited visibility and reduced stopping time

Drowsy Driving can be just as dangerous as getting behind the wheel while drunk. The NHTSA estimates that about 100,000 police-reported crashes are the result of driver fatigue. This leads to an estimated 1,550 deaths and more than 71,000 injuries per year.

This should come as no surprise: 60% of adults admits to driving while tired, according to a National Sleep Foundation poll. 37% say they have actually fallen asleep behind the wheel! Of those, 13% say this is a regular occurrence; they doze off while driving at least once a month. 4% say they have caused a crash after falling asleep while driving.

The Flickinger Legal Group is here to help. If you have been involved in a crash at night or are hit by a drowsy driver, call us at 614-944-5055. The consultation is free. We’ll make sure you are granted the financial settlement you deserve, and make sure you receive any necessary medical treatment as well.