Drivers should keep looking at the roadway ahead but never directly into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. By shifting their eyes downward and to the right and using the road’s edge or lane markings as a guide, they avoid being momentarily blinded.
Tips to Stay Safe While Driving at Night
When people think it’s more dangerous when driving at night they are correct. According to the National Safety Council, half of all traffic fatalities occur during the nighttime hours. The glare of the headlights of an oncoming car, less depth perception and peripheral vision and the dulling of colors all combine to make nighttime driving more challenging. There are ways for a driver to increase their safety when driving at night, which we explore below.
Auto Accident Lawyer in Washington, D.C.
At Roeser Law Firm, we’ve helped many injured clients and grieving families obtain compensation following all varieties of traffic accidents, including motorcycle, truck or other collisions, slips and falls and wrongful deaths as well as others. We work tirelessly to obtain the compensation our clients deserve. We’re equally comfortable whether negotiating on a client’s behalf with an insurer or taking the case to court. Phone us today at (202) 660-4070 for a free evaluation of your case and to discover what options are available to you to recover damages.
Beware of Drunk Drivers
Being extra vigilant after dark is important to stay safe, especially since this is the time more drunk and drugged drivers are on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal accidents involving impaired drivers are almost four times higher at night, especially between midnight and 3:00 a.m.
Check That Your Vehicle Is Ready for the Road
Dirty windshields increase the glare from oncoming vehicles. Headlights that are damaged or dirty decrease visibility and create glare affecting oncoming vehicles. Keep them both clean, and it improves your chances of avoiding an accident. Periodically check the angle of your headlights also because having them aimed incorrectly can affect your illumination and blind other drivers.
Speeding Causes Many Accidents at Night
Drivers should never speed but especially after dark. Statistics say that speeding is a factor in 37 percent of all traffic fatalities after dark. Because a driver can’t see as far during the night, they may not even see that car up ahead until it’s too late to stop.
Don’t Stare at the Headlights of an Oncoming Car
Drivers should keep looking at the roadway ahead but never directly into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. By shifting their eyes downward and to the right and using the road’s edge or lane markings as a guide, they avoid being momentarily blinded. When the vehicle has passed, it’s safe to lift your eyes.
Avoid Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving occurs due to sleep deprivation, medical conditions, shift work and long hours and can cause a motorist to drift over the centerline unintentionally or nod off behind the wheel. From midnight to 6:00 a.m. is when most of these accidents occur, and it increases the risk of becoming involved in an accident by 300 percent.
Suggestions to avoid this danger include pulling over for a nap, getting a good night’s sleep the night before and stopping every two hours to stretch and wake up if it’s a long trip. If you feel you might be too tired to drive, call a friend for a lift or take a rideshare to your destination.
Depend on the Roeser Law Firm
Call the Roeser Law Firm at (202) 660-4070 when you need advice about filing a claim following an accident injury. You can also contact us online. We represent the injured in Washington, D.C. and Maryland in obtaining the compensation they deserve, which allows them to recover in peace without the added stress of dealing with insurers to get a fair settlement.
