Whether going out to meet friends for dinner or coming home from work, many people navigate the Mississippi roadways even after the sun has set. Yet, driving in the dark poses many risks that people might not realize.
The National Safety Council reports that people are three times more likely to die in a nighttime car accident than they are during the day. It is critical to know the hazards of driving at night to minimize the risks of getting into an accident.
Night vision
Many people experience compromised vision, especially in conditions where there is a lack of natural light. This includes color recognition, depth perception and peripheral vision, making it difficult for some drivers to determine the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles. Furthermore, looking directly into the bright glare of oncoming headlights can cause temporary blindness. This is especially true for drivers who suffer from vision conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Drivers can minimize nighttime vision hazards by making sure their headlights are working properly and avoiding looking at oncoming headlights.
Distractions
While minimizing distractions is critical when driving at any time of the day, it is especially imperative at night. Accidents caused by drunk and drowsy drivers are more likely at night when compared to daylight hours. According to the National Safety Council, 103 million people admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel. Another 30 people die in accidents caused by a drunk driver each day.
Those who must drive at night should reduce their speed, drive cautiously and avoid engaging in distractions that will take their eyes off the road.
