Why Is Driving at Night More Dangerous?

Even though people only do one-quarter of their driving at night, half of all traffic deaths happen in the evening hours, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). 

Why is driving at night more dangerous? What makes nighttime driving so dangerous, and what can you do if a negligent driver hits you after dark?

At The Terry Law Firm, we are committed to helping drivers stay safe, day or night. Let our team answer those questions in detail.

Why Is It More Dangerous to Drive at Night?

Poor Visibility and Glare 

After the sun sets, the road can look like a different landscape. Lack of visibility is the most obvious danger nighttime driving poses. Darkness offset by the occasional bright streetlamp or oncoming headlights can impact your vision. It can be challenging to distinguish distances and, in some areas, almost impossible to see animals, pedestrians, and slow-moving vehicles in low-light conditions. The glare from the occasional light can also cause eye fatigue or strain.

Intoxicated Driving Dangers 

Night driving also poses another type of risk in the form of intoxicated drivers. Data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that many fatal drunk driving crashes happen at night. In some cases, rates of fatal crashes are four times higher at night than during the day.

Fatigue and Drowsy Driving 

Driving at night is more dangerous because of the body’s circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are natural 24-hour cycles that regulate our bodies. The most crucial circadian rhythm may be our sleep-wake cycle. This cycle is supposed to optimize the processes of our body during certain points in a 24-hour timeframe. This cycle primarily responds to light and dark. When it is dark, generally, our circadian rhythm tells our body that it is time to enter rest mode and sleep. When a motorist is driving at night, they may be fighting this signal and its associated fatigue.

Everyone knows that drunk driving is dangerous. However, less recognized is the fact that drowsy or fatigued driving can be just as risky. The AAA Foundation for Highway Safety found that fatigue may be responsible for more than a fifth of fatal accidents because it impacts the body similarly to alcohol. A person awake for 18 hours has a coordination and reaction time compared to a person with a BAC of 0.05 percent. When are people more likely to be driving while drowsy? At night.

The Moth Effect

The moth effect is a theory that nighttime collisions may occur when drivers are distracted or mesmerized by lights shimmering in the dark. It is similar to a moth attracted to a flame. When a driver is focused on watching the lights, they are not paying attention to their surroundings and can veer off course, causing an accident.

Reckless Drivers 

Unfortunately, some nighttime drivers are downright reckless. People expect the roads to be less busy at night. This sense of isolation makes some drivers feel like they can speed, make unsafe lane changes, and drive aggressively. Reckless behavior is even more dangerous at night because of the decreased visibility.  

Get Legal Help If You’ve Been Hurt in a Nighttime Crash 

Have you been injured in a nighttime driving accident caused by a negligent driver? Get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney.

At The Terry Law Firm, we can immediately begin reviewing your case. Our legal team is committed to helping injured victims get the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact us today to set up a free case evaluation with our expert attorneys.

Denise S. Terry

Attorney Denise Terry has a passion for justice and serving others that was instilled in her from a very young age. As a small child she would go to her Father, Charles Terry’s Law office on Saturday mornings and listen as he worked and met with his clients. Thus, her love affair with the law began.