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Road accident with smashed cars.

Road accident with smashed cars.

Did you know that there are about 38,000 people who die each year in the U.S. due to car accidents? Many of those fatal car accidents happen at night.

Like most people, we drive during the day and at night as well. We just can’t wait for daylight to drive and we just have to be more careful when driving at night. Even if there are more cars in the daytime, nighttime is still one of the most dangerous times to drive.

There are a few reasons why night driving is more dangerous than daytime driving. Knowing them will help us better prepare and know what to expect when we drive at night. That way, we could better avoid car accidents at night.

Here are the most common reasons car accidents are prone to happen at night:

Lack Of Light

One of the main differences between day and night is the light available. Daylight can all help us better see but as nighttime comes, there is also poorer visibility. This can affect all of us but it will be worse for those who have visual impairments.

Some people also have night-time blindness. This is a condition where they can’t see clearly due to the dim lights. It may be caused by a lack of vitamin A or a damaged retina. They may have a more blurry vision at night, their peripheral vision may not be as clear and their central vision could also be affected.

To compensate for the lack of light, here are some tips you could do:

  • Make sure that you use your headlights. Check the aim of the headlights and make sure they are at the best angle to provide you better visibility.
  • Bright light from the dashboard can be distracting and can cause impaired vision. It would be best to turn them down. Similarly, you shouldn’t stare at the bright lights from oncoming traffic as well. Shift your gaze away from the bright lights and onto the road.
  • Make sure your windshield is clean. Dirt doesn’t only alter your vision by covering it but it can also cause glaring.
  • Finally, don’t rush while driving so you can have more time to react when you see hazards on the road.

Fatigue

Nighttime is usually the time when we go to sleep and rest. Many drivers who had a car accident at night admit that they fell asleep. Due to our body clock, you may fall easily asleep at night. If you had a long day at work, that could also add to the risk of falling asleep while driving at night.

If you are driving at night, here are some ways to combat fatigue and lessen the risk of falling asleep on the wheel:

  • Before you drive, give yourself a rest. Make sure you sleep well the night before or the day before you drive at night.
  • If you are driving a long distance, take a rest in between. You could also take turns with someone else, especially during road trips.
  • Pullover and take a nap or rest when you feel sleepy. Don’t risk trying to keep yourself awake.
  • Watch out for other drivers. Sleepy drivers may swerve or drift unexpectedly. Honk your horn or use your lights to alert them and give them plenty of space if they don’t pull over.

Drunk Drivers Are More Common At Night

We all understand the need to unwind and relax by drinking alcoholic beverages. However, that doesn’t mean you should be driving. Many drivers are overconfident that they can safely drive their vehicle even under the influence of alcohol but they are not. Fatal injuries are mostly caused by drunk drivers.

Aside from alcohol, there are other chemicals that could cause you to feel drunk. Even prescription medicines could influence you to feel sleepy. That lack of control is very dangerous while driving.

If you have alcohol or medication in your system that could cause you to be an impaired driver, it is best to get a cab or find someone else to drive you home.

Rush Hour Traffic

When work is done for the day, many of us rush to get home before the sun goes down. However, not all can make that timeline. Some of us live far from where we work. Some could also need to do some errands like grocery shopping before they head home.

During the early hours of the night, you can expect that there is heavy traffic. With a lot of cars, there is a much higher chance of bumping into another if you are not careful. We all understand that everyone wants to rush home, however, here are some things you should do instead:

  • Slow down. You’ll eventually get to where you should go without rushing. The more you rush, the more likely you’d crash into someone.
  • Stop tailgating. Give ample space between you and the vehicle in front of you, even if it is a motorcycle. There is already much traffic, if they suddenly stop because someone cuts them, you’d bump into them if you tailgate.
  • Avoid distractions. With heavy traffic, it could be tempting to use your phone. However, that puts you at much more risk because your attention is divided.

Distracted Drivers

At night, some drivers think that they could get away with texting or using their phones because it’s dark and no one can easily see them do it. Distracted driving is still distracted driving whether someone sees you or not. The risk of getting into a car accident due to distracted driving is still there. We all have to be responsible drivers to lessen the chances of car accidents.


No matter how careful we are, sometimes accidents just happen. If you are ever in an accident at any time in Houston, Texas you can count on Bliss Towing Services for accident recovery services. We are just a call away…

Towing Service – Accident Recovery Done Right

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