It’s that time of year again. Shorter days means more time driving in the dark. The risk of a fatal car accident is three times greater at night, according to the National Safety Council. Key factors include:
- Limited visibility: This means more than just “driving in the dark.” Depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision, each essential to safe driving, are compromised at night. The headlights of an approaching vehicle can blind a driver. Your own headlights? High beams provide only 500 feet of visibility. Also, as you age, your night vision diminishes.
- Fatigue: According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, 60 percent of adults have driven while tired, and 37 percent admit having fallen asleep at the wheel. Losing just two hours of sleep impairs a driver as much as having consumed three beers.
How to stay safe at night
Reduce your risk by:
- Making sure your headlights are aimed correctly and that they are clean.
- Dimming the dashboard.
- Looking away from oncoming lights.
- Keeping the windshield clean.
- Driving slower to reduce stopping time.
- Reducing your speed to compensate for limited visibility.
Avoid fatigue by:
- Getting at least seven hours of sleep a night.
- Not driving if you’ve been awake for 16 hours or more.
- Stopping every two hours to rest.
- Pulling over and napping if you’re drowsy.
- Traveling at times when you are normally awake.
But you can only do so much
No matter how careful you are while driving at night, you cannot account for other drivers. They could be in a rush, taking careless risks. They could be half-asleep after working a double-shift.
Don’t pay the price for the recklessness of another driver. You may be out of work because of your injuries and unable to provide for your family as the bills pile up. An insurance company may be pressuring you to accept a financial settlement that falls far short of what you need.
Fight back. The Cleveland, Ohio, car accident injury lawyers at Merriman Legal, LLC will work with you every step of the way to ensure you receive both financial satisfaction and justice. They will work to hold the other driver responsible. They will stand up to the insurance companies. Contact them for a free case consultation.
