It can be more dangerous to drive after dark, potentially increasing your odds of being involved in a fatal accident. These serious accidents do happen at any time of day, of course, but driving at night presents some unique challenges.
First and foremost, the rate of fatal DUI crashes is three times higher after dark. Statistically, you’re much more likely to be hit by a drunk driver in the early morning hours, often between midnight and 3:00 a.m. Weekends do tend to carry the greatest level of risk. People are simply more likely to drink on the weekends and at night, so these drinking trends themselves lead to an increase in drunk driving accidents. But what are some other reasons?
Lack of visibility
One issue is that driving in the dark simply reduces a person’s visibility. This can be challenging, especially for young drivers. They may not see a pedestrian in a crosswalk or they may not see an approaching stop sign. Drivers who are trying to find a specific address may slow down because it’s difficult to see, causing traffic congestion. In rural areas, the darkness can be so complete that drivers who aren’t accustomed to it feel like they can barely see where they’re going.
Release of melatonin
Next, when it gets dark, your body automatically detects the change in lighting conditions and begins to produce hormones like melatonin. These cause you to feel fatigued as you prepare to go to sleep. Although this is a natural response that you can’t control, increased fatigue behind the wheel can be dangerous. Some drivers may experience a reduction in reaction times or even nod off.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by another fatigued driver, then you need to know what steps to take to seek financial compensation.
