According to the National Safety Council, nearly 50% of traffic deaths occur after dark, even though only about 25% of driving happens at night. This means nighttime driving is statistically more dangerous.
With Daylight Saving Time ending in the wee hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024, we all need to brush up on some safety tips for navigating nighttime roads.
So, let’s take a look at three key nighttime hazards and ways to effectively combat them in the dark post-Daylight Saving Time.
Hazard #1: Low Visibility
It’s naturally harder to see after dark, so you may have more trouble spotting potential hazards like potholes, stopped vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and even animals on the road. When you finally see the hazard, will you have enough time to react?
But that’s not all. Streetlights, taillights, and lights from oncoming traffic can get distorted by your windshield or by some vision problems, making it difficult to see clearly.
And that’s still not all. Cooler temperatures at night can cause fog or mist or even frost. Fog can seriously decrease visibility, while mist and frost can make the roads slick.
Safety Tips to Improve Visibility After Dark
There is a lot you can do to help yourself see while driving at night.
Use your headlights correctly. High beams (aka “brights”) help you see farther. But they should only be used when they don’t present a hazard or nuisance to others. When driving in rural areas, you can generally use high beams, but you should switch to low beams when approaching a vehicle from behind or meeting oncoming traffic.
Don’t look into the light. When approaching oncoming traffic, keep your gaze straight ahead. Looking into the lights of oncoming vehicles can temporarily blind you.
See clearly through the windshield. Clean your windshield regularly, refill your windshield wiper fluid, and make sure your wiper blades are in good order so they can whisk away rain without leaving streaks.
Actively watch for pedestrians and cyclists. While it’s always important to watch for pedestrians and cyclists, it’s particularly important after dark when they’re harder to see. You’ll often find them on the shoulder or at crosswalks, but also keep an eye out for jaywalkers who could cross the street at any point.
Hazard #2: Drowsiness
Drowsy driving is more serious than many drivers realize. When you’re tired, your reaction times are slower, and your decision-making abilities are impaired. In fact, driving after more than 20 hours without sleep is about the same as driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08%, which is the legal limit in many states.
Unfortunately, drowsy driving often gets worse after we end Daylight Saving Time. Our brains produce more melatonin as daylight decreases, which prepares the body for sleep. So, when the sun sets earlier, melatonin production ramps up earlier, resulting in more driver fatigue.
Safety Tips to Combat Drowsiness After Dark
So, what can we do to stay alert while driving after dark?
Stay well rested. A good night’s sleep is always important. And getting enough shut-eye will help keep you from getting sleepy while behind the wheel.
Drink water. Dehydration can reduce blood flow to your brain, making you feel more drowsy. Drinking water rehydrates your body so your mind can function better.
Rest when needed. If you feel yourself getting drowsy, you may need to find a safe place to pull over for a power nap. A quick 15-20 minutes plus a little food and drink might perk you up.
Hazard #3: Other Drivers
You won’t be the only driver dealing with visibility and drowsiness issues after dark. Every other driver on the road is susceptible to these hazards. This makes them a hazard for you. Even if you’re driving perfectly, another driver’s mistake can create chaos.
And, let’s be honest. Not all drivers will be as careful as you. So you have to pick up their slack to avoid an accident.
Safety Tips to Share the Road With Other Drivers After Dark
Defensive driving is the art of proactively avoiding collisions with drivers who aren’t practicing safe driving techniques. Here are some of the best defensive driving safety tips for driving in the dark post-Daylight Saving Time:
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. At night, you’re more likely to have drivers braking hard without warning. Staying well back will give you more time to safely slow or even stop your vehicle as needed to avoid a crash.
Proceed through intersections carefully. In 2022, 1,149 Americans were killed in car crashes that involved running a red light. This doesn’t even take into account accidents involving running a stop sign. You can’t assume that everyone will stop when they should at intersections. Watch other drivers closely to make sure you can get through safely.
Don’t speed. The faster your vehicle is moving, the less time you have to react to potential hazards. For example, if a car is stopped on the road, you’re less likely to stop in time if you’re speeding. So slow things down and play it safe.
Consider that other drivers may be impaired. Protecting yourself from impaired drivers is, unfortunately, a necessary part of driving. With the earlier sunset, some people may be hitting it harder at happy hour or self-medicating to get through seasonal depression. If you see a driver swerving or behaving erratically, steer clear of them and find a safe place to pull over so you can call 911 to report a possibly impaired driver.
Updated 11/04/2024
