Nighttime driving can be deadly

People who drive along the streets of San Antonio, Texas, often remain on the roads once the sun has set. Once nighttime arrives, there are often drivers who are rushing to meet with friends, coming home from work or simply running errands late into the night. The danger lies in the fact that deadly car accidents are three times more likely to occur at night than they are during the day, according to the National Safety Council. Although driving at any hour of the day can be dangerous, driving at night poses a greater risk to drivers of all ages. It is important to keep in mind these hidden dangers and to drive accordingly in an effort to avoid becoming the next victim of a catastrophic accident.

Why is it more hazardous to drive at night as opposed to during the day? For one, the night can decrease a person’s ability to see clearly. Bright headlights and a lack of natural sunlight can make it hard to distinguish an approaching vehicle’s speed and distance. It can also affect drivers’ peripheral vision. This is especially true for drivers over the age of 50, as the NSC reports this age group requires nearly twice as much light to see as drivers who are younger.

There are also more drunk drivers on the road at night than there are during the daytime. Motorists should be extremely cautious when driving at night and be ready to react to any type of erratic driving behavior. Bad weather conditions and distracted driving can also lead to more accidents at night.