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The end of daylight savings time on November 3, 2019 means it will be getting darker earlier. This will impact people coming home from work and those out running errands, going to restaurants, or attending various events. Night vision issues are a common problem and driving after dark in general increases your car accidents risk. Being aware of the problem and following a few simple safety tips can help protect you and your passengers.
Problems With Nighttime Driving
The evening hours are among the most dangerous on the road. Driving at night increases your chances of running into drowsy drivers and those under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Difficulty seeing only adds to the problem.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), night vision disturbances are something that tends to happen with age. However, even younger drivers can find themselves suffering from vision problems that impact driving abilities. Certain types of health conditions, medications, and even simple eye strain can all make driving at night more difficult. Common issues drivers are likely to experience include:
- Decreased depth perception, making it harder to stay in your lane or to estimate distances between you and other drivers;
- Decreased peripheral vision, making it harder to see other drivers beside you in traffic, which increases the odds of car accidents when passing or making turns;
- Poor color recognition, impacting your ability to see lane markings or interpret traffic signs and signals;
- Increased glare, which creates blinding glare and ‘halos’ around street lamps and the head or tail lights of other vehicles.
The NSC warns that even under the best conditions, vision in front of your vehicle is limited to roughly 50 feet at night. This makes it more difficult to respond to sudden changes in traffic or other unexpected road conditions.
Safety Tips for Driving at Night
Now that daylight savings time has ended and it will keep getting dark earlier, night vision is going to be a more common problem on the road. To protect yourself and your passengers, the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends following a few simple safety tips:
- Slow down: Speeding in general increases car accident risks, particularly at night.
- Pay attention: Avoid distractions such as talking on your phone, sending texts, or adjusting GPS settings.
- Dim your dashboard: This helps to reduce glare in your vehicle.
- Wash your windshield: Dirt or streaks on glass only makes glare worse.
- Avert your eyes: Avoid looking directly into other driver’s headlights or staring at street lamps or traffic signals.
- Find another means of transportation: If you are experiencing major issues with night vision and have concerns about your driving, stay off the road and make an appointment with your family doctor and an optometrist to rule out other health issues.
Contact Our Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney
Driving at night increases your chances of being involved in a car crash or collision. At Bernardo Injury Law, we help you get the compensation you need to recover for injuries you suffer as a result. To request a consultation, contact our Fort Myers area car accident attorneys online today.