Driving at night presents challenges that require extra attention and care. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal crashes are more likely to occur after dark.
Why? Well, darkness affects our depth perception, peripheral vision, and reaction times, making it harder to spot obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles.
Darkness is also a prime time for drowsiness to kick in, and this single issue alone leads to over 90,000 crashes in the US every year.
With 25% of driving happening when it’s dark, drivers need to know exactly how to avoid car accidents when the light fades. Below, our experienced York, SC car accident lawyers give you night driving tips on improving visibility, staving off nighttime driving drowsiness, and the steps to take if you find yourself in a late-night crash.
Why Night Driving Is More Dangerous Than Daytime Driving
Driving at night is more hazardous than driving during the daytime, primarily due to reduced visibility and increased road risks. When darkness sets in, your ability to see is reduced.
Headlights illuminate only a small portion of the road ahead, limiting your reaction time in the event of an unexpected occurrence.
Hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists, animals, or road debris also become harder to spot until they’re dangerously close, leaving you with less time to react. What’s more, nighttime drivers often have to contend with glare from oncoming headlights or reflective surfaces, which can momentarily blind or disorient them. Your eyes may also have difficulty adjusting between bright lights and darkness, which can reduce your depth perception and ability to judge distances accurately.
Adding to these challenges is the increased likelihood of encountering fatigued or impaired drivers at night. Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving, and it becomes more of a threat as the night wears on. But more on this soon.
How Speed and Reaction Time Play a Role in Night Collisions
Driving at night changes everything about the way we perceive speed and distance. Our eyes struggle more in the dark, which means our brain takes longer to process what we’re seeing.
What’s more, at night, you simply can’t see as far ahead as you can during the day. That limited visibility gives you less time to react to sudden obstacles, like an animal darting across the road, a stalled car in your lane, or a pedestrian crossing in a dimly lit area. If you’re driving too fast, by the time your headlights reveal the hazard, it might already be too late to stop safely.
Your reaction time is also naturally slower at night, even if you don’t feel tired. Fatigue, even in mild forms, can delay how quickly you respond to sudden changes on the road. Add high speed into that equation, and the risk of a collision and the severity of a collision increase dramatically.
Visibility Tips: How to Improve What You See
When you’re driving at night, your eyes are doing a lot more work than they do during the day.
Here are some simple but effective ways to make nighttime driving a little easier on the eyes:
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Keep Your Headlights Clean and Properly Aimed
Dirty or misaligned headlights can reduce your visibility. Clean them regularly and ensure they’re pointing in the right direction, neither too low nor too high. If your headlights look foggy or yellowed, consider having them restored or replaced.
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Clean Your Windshield Inside and Out
A smudged or streaky windshield can make glare from oncoming headlights even worse. Clean the inside and outside of your windshield regularly, and replace your wiper blades if they’re leaving streaks.
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Adjust Your Interior Lighting
Bright dashboard lights or phone screens can mess with your night vision. Turn down the brightness so your eyes can adjust more easily between your instruments and the road.
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Wear the Right Glasses (If You Need Them)
If you wear glasses, make sure they’re anti-reflective. That coating can reduce glare and help you see more clearly. Avoid wearing tinted lenses at night; they can do more harm than good in low-light conditions.
Tips for Driving at Night: Managing Fatigue and Drowsiness
Nighttime drowsiness is an underestimated risk on the roads. Our natural circadian rhythms tell our bodies to wind down after dark. That means even if you think you’re alert when driving at night, your reaction times may be slower, and your ability to focus might not be as sharp.
Here is how to manage it:
- Don’t Ignore the Signs of Drowsiness. If you’re yawning, blinking frequently, or drifting out of your lane, it’s time to pull over.
- Take Regular Breaks. Even a quick 15-minute walk at a rest stop can make a big difference.
- Avoid Heavy Meals or Alcohol Before Night Driving. Both can increase fatigue and impair your focus.
- Share the Driving if Possible. A second driver can help relieve the strain and offer backup if you start to feel tired.
What to Do if You’re in a Nighttime Car Accident
Even if you follow every night driving tip in the book, accidents can still happen. If you find yourself in a crash while driving at night, here’s what to do:
- Seek Medical Attention: The adrenaline rush of an accident can mask symptoms of serious injuries. Get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible.
- Call the Police: Even if the accident seems minor, it’s important to file a police report. The darkness makes details harder to see and remember, so having an officer document the scene helps protect your legal rights.
- Exchange Information: Get the other driver’s name, contact information, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance details. Also, write down the time and exact location of the accident.
- Document the Scene: Take photos or video of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. At night, use your phone’s flashlight or flash to get clear images.
- Look for Witnesses: If any other drivers or pedestrians saw the accident, ask for their contact information. Witness statements can be critical, especially when fault is disputed.
- Contact a Car Accident Attorney: Before speaking to insurance companies, contact a car accident lawyer. Nighttime accidents can raise unique legal questions about visibility, lighting, and fault. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the process and protect your rights.
Contact an Experienced York, SC, Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a nighttime car accident in South Carolina, the team at Hunter | Everage is here to help. We understand how complex car accident claims can be, especially when they happen at night.
Our team is committed to fighting for your rights and holding negligent drivers accountable.
Contact our York, SC office at 704-377-9157 for a free consultation.