The dangers of night-time driving in CA

Driving at night presents unique risks to drivers, which can increase the risk of car accidents and injuries.

Motorists continue to the fill the streets of San Francisco even after the sun goes down. However, drivers are three times more likely of being involved in motor vehicle accidents at night than they are during the day, according to the National Safety Council. Not only are there an increased number of intoxicated drivers on the road at night, many people have trouble seeing in the dark. Here are just a few reasons why people should be especially careful while driving late at night.

Visual difficulties

It’s harder for people to see in the dark, especially while they are driving. As people age, they need more light in order to see. The NSC reported that people over the age of 50 need at least twice as much light as a 30-year-old to see. People’s ability to recognize colors, perceive depth and utilize their peripheral vision changes at night. This can make it difficult for drivers to determine a vehicle’s distance, as well as its speed. People may miscalculate these things and unintentionally pull out in front of a rapidly approaching vehicle causing a tragic traffic accident. Instead, motorists should allow extra time for approaching vehicles to pass before pulling out. Drivers should also avoid driving too close to the vehicle in front of them in order to avoid rear-end collisions.

Additionally, drivers may have a difficult time seeing pedestrians in crosswalks, especially at night. According to Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group, an intersection wider than 25 feet is a legal crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked. As a result, drivers can often confuse who has the right of way and cause accidents and severe injuries to pedestrians.

Headlight blindness

Although vehicles are equipped with headlights that help to illuminate the dark California roadways, these high beams may end up blinding other drivers. When bright lights shine in motorists’ eyes, it can cause distraction and make it hard for drivers to see what is in front of them. This blindness can last for several seconds after the vehicle has passed. Drivers may look to the side in order to avoid the discomfort of the light shining in their eyes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Headlight glare also takes away any existing contrast, making it more difficult to see in the dark.

Driver fatigue

Motorists can drive drowsy during the day as well as at night. Yet, the human brain tends to think that when the sun sets, it is time to go to sleep. Fatigued driving can lower a motorist’s response time to certain hazards, including pedestrians, other vehicles, objects in the road and bad weather conditions. Drivers who are fatigued should pull off of the road and take a short nap, according to Esurance. It just may prevent a fatal motor vehicle accident.

When to contact an attorney

When a nighttime accident results in serious injuries, significant property damage and emotional trauma, people may want to think about contacting a personal injury attorney. You should not have to suffer from the consequences of another driver’s negligence. An attorney in California may be able to help you formulate a case, and receive compensation for your injuries, pain and damages.