Many people, especially when they’ve just gotten their license, will feel a bit nervous about driving after dark. The reduced visibility makes it frightening, and they feel like they’re just not as comfortable as they are during the day.
But is this fear warranted? As it turns out, it is. Studies have found that there are a disproportionate number of car accidents, especially fatal accidents, after dark. Far less driving takes place during these hours, with only about 25% of all driven miles being covered after dark, but this is still the time in which roughly half of all fatal car accidents occur. Why is this?
Drunk driving
One reason is drunk driving, which is simply more common at night than it is during the day. Many people only drink after dinner, so the odds of someone being intoxicated are simply lower in the morning or the afternoon, even though you certainly do have risks from drunk drivers at all hours.
Fatigued driving
Another potential issue is driver fatigue. The darkness of the night naturally makes your body start to settle into a more restful mode, so you’re going to feel fatigued even if you got enough sleep the night before. A driver who drifts off for even a split-second could lose control of their car, driving off the road or over the centerline.
As you can see, reduced visibility, intoxicated drivers and fatigued drivers cause quite many severe accidents. If you have lost a loved one or if you’ve been seriously injured in such an accident, be sure you know about all of your legal options to seek compensation.
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