The person who came up with the saying that “nothing good happens after dark” must have been referring to driving after dark. While day time driving is not necessarily a walk in the park, night time driving is much riskier. In fact, accident related deaths are three times greater after dark compared to during the day. This statistic should not come as a surprise since driving after dark is fraught with hazards. These hazards include:
- Decreased visibility. Of course, one of the biggest obstacles to driving at night is the fact that it is dark. Decreased visibility makes it difficult for motorists to see road signs, other cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and even animals. To help combat this problem, make sure that you allow extra following distance and keep your speed at the posted speed limit. You can also dim your dashboard lights to reduce glare.
- Since most of us are used to sleeping at night and being awake during the day, it makes sense why people often comment that fatigue is a problem for them when they drive a night. If you know night-time driving is a struggle, avoid driving after dark, especially long distances. If you cannot avoid an after dark trip, make sure that you have someone with you to help keep you awake. Remember, it is better to pull over and take a nap or grab a cup of coffee than to continue.
- Night-blindness. Some people suffer from a condition known as a night-blindness. This condition decreases a person’s ability to see at night. It is important for all motorists to have regular optical visits. If you feel like your night vision is subpar, make sure that mention this during your next eye doctor appointment.
- More motorists are driving under the influence. Night-time driving is also made more dangerous with the presence of more drunk drivers on the roadways. For this reason, weekend evenings are the most likely for fatal accidents.
- Construction activity. Since roadways are often busy during the day, it is not uncommon to find construction crews working full-force during the night when the roadways are quieter. While this is good news for daytime drivers, it can be hazardous to night-time drivers, especially if they are unfamiliar with the new traffic patterns.
- Poor vision due to age. While modern society has created many amazing inventions, not one has been able to stop people from aging. Sure we can dye our gray hairs and smooth out our wrinkles, but it does not mean a 50-year-old has the same vision as when he or she was 30. In fact, studies have shown that as we get older, it is more difficult for us to see at night because our eyes require more light. While there is not a remedy for this situation, it is something that drivers should be aware of as we all are getting older.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries after being involved in a collision, it is important to contact a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorney who can protect your rights! The experienced Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. having been helping accident victims in Kansas and Missouri for almost two decades. Our seasoned Kansas City Injury Attorneys work hard to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injured victims in the area. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can work for you, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation.
