Whether you work the night shift, are going out for the evening, or have errands to run after the kids go to bed, driving at night comes with an increased risk of car accidents [https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/crashes-by-time-of-day-and-day-of-week/]. However, taking steps to make night driving safer can help you avoid a serious crash. Get insight on night driving risks and tips to make driving at night as safe as possible.
Is Driving at Night Dangerous?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), fatal auto accidents peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. during the spring and summer months. When the days are shorter and it gets dark earlier from November through March, fatal crashes occur most from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day, mainly because visibility is limited. Even with your headlights or high beams on, you cannot see nearly as much at night as you would in full daylight. This gives you less time to detect road hazards or react to dangerous conditions.
What Are Common Night Driving Risks?
If you need to drive at night, familiarize yourself with common risks that can increase your chances of an accident. Knowing what to look for can help you take precautions and protect yourself. Night driving risks include:
- Compromised vision: Human eyes are not designed to see well in low-light conditions. Because you depend primarily on artificial light when driving at night, you can only see areas that are lit by street lights and headlights, making it difficult to fully assess your surroundings.
- Driver fatigue: Fatigued or drowsy driving impairs a person’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. In fact, fatigue causes poor motor responses and slow cognitive performance that is comparable to alcohol intoxication. Data shows that accidents caused by drowsy driving occur the most between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. and afternoons.
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol: About 55% of fatal crashes caused by alcohol impairment happen between midnight and 3 a.m., followed by 42% of alcohol-related accidents occurring from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. In the United States, 32% of all fatal crashes are connected to drunk drivers.
- Speeding: Research has shown that as light decreases on the roads, speeding increases. Unfortunately, speeding is a contributing factor to car accidents, making crashes more likely at night.
- Rush hour traffic: As people are heading home from work or school, roads can become crowded with anxious drivers between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. [https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/driving-at-night]. The increased congestion of cars at this time means you may get caught in dark conditions that reduce visibility.
Tips for Safe Night Driving
Recognizing the risks of night driving and taking proactive measures to prevent accidents is key to staying safe on the road. Here are tips to help you protect yourself while driving at night.
Clean Dirty Windshields and Mirrors
Dirty windshields and vehicle mirrors can limit your visibility, which is incredibly risky at night. Streaks and smears are often caused by a buildup of dust, asphalt residue, bugs, and other debris that sticks to the glass. At night, this dirt can create disorienting glare, halos, and starbursts when the light hits it.
Additionally, your pupils dilate when it’s dark, which can make windshield glare more intense and your eyes sensitive to light. You may find it difficult to read street and traffic signs under these conditions.
Cleaning your windshield before you hit the road will prevent streaks and halos that make it hard to see at night. If you notice your windshield is dirty while driving, many gas stations have windshield cleaning solution and squeegees you can use for free. You may also want to keep window cleaner and rags in your trunk with other safety supplies.
Do Not Drive if You’re Tired
Avoid driving at night if you’re tired or fatigued. About 21% of fatal crashes in the United States involve drowsy drivers who chose to get behind the wheel. The NSC also reports that you’re three times more likely to be involved in a crash if you are tired while driving [https://www.nsc.org/workplace/resources/infographics/dangers-of-drowsy-driving]. Combining that with the risks of driving at night can make even a quick trip dangerous for everyone on the road.
If you find yourself sleep deprived or nodding off while driving at night, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shares these tips:
- Prioritize getting enough rest before operating a motor vehicle.
- Check medications for side effects that may cause drowsiness prior to driving.
- Pull over to take a break or stretch your legs.
- Do not rely on tricks you think will keep you awake, including opening the window or turning up the radio.
Check Your Lights
If your headlights are dirty or broken or the bulbs are burned out, it can affect your ability to see while driving at night. Do regular checks to make sure your brake lights, headlights, and high beams are working. If the lights are covered in mud or debris, wipe or wash them off. Also, keep backup bulbs handy to replace lights that are getting too dim for night driving.
Reduce Your Speed
About 21% of fatal nighttime crashes involved a speeding driver compared to 16% of fatal daytime crashes caused by speeding. Those numbers rose to 22% and 19%, respectively, for speeding accidents that happened on weekends. Data also shows that drivers are more likely to speed at night regardless of what day of the week it is [https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813473.pdf].
To protect yourself while driving at night, stay under the designated speed limit and make adjustments based on road conditions. With reduced visibility at night, it can take longer for you to see vehicles, road obstructions, or other hazards. If you’re going too fast, you may not have enough time to react and avoid a collision.
Be Aware of Oncoming Traffic Headlights
Staring directly into oncoming cars and their headlights or high beams can cause a blinding effect at night called glare disability. This happens when your eyes need to adjust between the sudden brightness of headlights and contrasting darkness that follows. Drivers may also involuntarily squint or look away from the road when exposed to bright lights at night, causing safety risks [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8444958/].
To prevent this from happening to you while driving at night, keep your eyes looking forward or slightly to the right when there is oncoming traffic. Do not look directly at the vehicle’s headlights. If your eyes are particularly sensitive to light, ask your eye doctor or other health care professional for recommendations to improve your vision.
Keep in mind that your own high beams can have the same effect on other drivers, which can also put you in danger. Turn your high beams off when you see an oncoming vehicle and switch them back on after passing.
Limit Driver Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, causing thousands of fatal crashes in the United States every year. Common driver distractions include:
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Other cell phone usage
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the entertainment or navigation system
- Talking to vehicle passengers
- Applying makeup
These distractions become even more dangerous at night when drivers have less visibility. While driving at night, keep your eyes on the road and remove any distractions that can take your attention away from what you’re doing. For example, keep your cell phone out of reach so you’re not tempted to use it.
Do Not Drink and Drive
While driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is never safe, it can be even more dangerous at night. The National Highway and Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares that fatal car accidents involving alcohol impairment are three times more likely to occur at night than they are during the day.
Even if you think you feel fine, do not get behind the wheel of a car after drinking. The effects of alcohol mixed with night driving risks can be a fatal combination. Choose a designated driver or use a rideshare or taxi service to get home safely.
Be Mindful of Local Road Conditions
Be aware of local road hazards that can affect your driving at night. For example, Shreveport night driving risks may include construction zones, rutting, and poor road quality. Louisiana was ranked seventh for most dangerous roads in the United States, which can contribute to a driver’s chance of being involved in a traffic accident.
In other states, there may be a lack of lighting or signs or higher rates of driving under the influence. In more rural areas, you may need to watch for animal crossings or other obstructions. Take these factors into account before heading out at night.
Prioritizing Road Safety To Prevent Car Accidents
A car accident can turn your entire life upside down, leaving you with painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost income. You can reduce your risk of a car crash at night by avoiding dangerous conditions, practicing safe night driving, and sharing helpful tips with your family and loved ones.
