Almost half of fatal road accidents occur at night, despite there being 60% less traffic on average. This is due to many of the added hazards that come with night driving. Below are just some of the dangers that can lead to road accidents at night and how to avoid them.
Glare
Driving at night can be more dangerous because of poor visibility. However, it isn’t always the darkness that is the problem. Glare from bright street lights and other vehicle’s headlights is often a bigger issue and can lead to more accidents. There are a few factors that can make glare at night worse:
- Driving with a dirty windscreen, dirty mirrors or dirty glasses can increase the risk of glare. Make sure that any glass surfaces are kept clean.
- Condensation and ice on your windscreen can also increase glare. Remove this before you start driving.
- Be careful of narrow two lane highways where you’re more likely to get blinded by oncoming headlights – these roads should be avoided at night where possible.
- Eye conditions like cataracts can make glare worse. If you’re seeing halos around lights and increased glare from headlights, consider getting your eyes checked.
Fatigue
Driver fatigue is another danger at night. You should never drive if you’re tired or sleep deprived as there is a risk you could lose concentration or even start to drift off while driving. This is particularly the case on long straight highways where you can easily be lulled to sleep. To maintain alertness when driving at night, consider planning regular stops and drink a caffeinated drink such as a coffee before you set off. If you start to feel tired, pull over where you can and get some rest to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.
Speeding
Because the roads are emptier at night, it can be more tempting to speed. However, reduced visibility can impair our reaction times by causing us to spot hazards later. This is why you should reduce your speed at night – especially on roads that are not well-lit.
Headlight issues
If your headlights are too dim or misaligned, it could increase your risk of getting into an accident by reducing your visibility at night. Many drivers don’t realise that their headlights aren’t working properly until they carry out a safety inspection on their car. Dim lighting is most commonly caused by dirty headlight lenses, while misalignment can be caused by suspension issues. If you think there could be an issue with your headlights, it’s worth getting them checked out by a mechanic just in case.
Other drivers
It may not always be you that is the problem at night, but potentially other drivers. Other road users may be experiencing fatigue or visibility issues. There’s also a greater amount of potential drunk drivers on the road at night. If you do get in an accident and another driver is at fault, you’ll usually be able to seek compensation with the help of a specialist lawyer such as this drunk driving victim lawyer John Foy. However, it’s best to avoid getting in these situations altogether by being more wary of other drivers at night – which could include keeping a greater distance away and watching drivers more carefully.
Wildlife
You should also be more wary of wildlife when driving in certain rural areas at night. Collisions with deer mostly occur at night and can often be fatal. Look out for warning signs of nocturnal animals and watch your speed along these roads so that you can react fast enough if an animal jumps out onto the road.