Nighttime driving is a precarious situation — one that Denver trucking accident attorneys see all too often as a factor in major roadway incidents. Multiple elements come together to make this a risky scenario for everyone on the road:
- Poor Visibility — Naturally, there’s less light in the nighttime. Even in areas with street lighting, the amount isn’t comparable to the full lighting the roads receive during the day, and this impacts visibility for all drivers. Less light to see means less time to react to hazards, and there might even be some obstacles (like animals) that you can’t see until it is too late to do anything about it.
- Unexpected Glare — It’s only natural that drivers use their headlights at night to help illuminate the road. The one drawback, however, is that in some circumstances those bright artificial lights can make it difficult for other drivers to see, as the glare might obstruct their vision. Even a few seconds of blindness can lead to an accident at high enough speeds (and the effect is even worse for older drivers).
- Erratic Drivers — Unfortunately, nighttime is also the time when other drivers are more likely to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can make for some erratic driving — to say the least — and it makes the roads all the more dangerous for truck drivers who are trying to get to their destinations safely.
4 Important Nighttime Driving Tips
The risks may be even greater for truckers, who are more prone to driving while fatigued. To help mitigate these dangers, though, take a look at the following tips for driving at night:
- Don’t Drive Tired — Driving while fatigued can cut your alertness and reaction speed, making you more prone to errors that will result in a collision. This is why you should avoid driving while you are tired — no matter what. Make sure you get plenty of rest before you hit the road, and if you find yourself becoming drowsy, pull over to get some adequate rest.
- Adjust Your Speed — Because your reaction time will be limited at night, it’s best to reduce your speed in all circumstances. This will give you a bit more time to make adjustments if something sudden happens.
- Keep Your Windshield Clean — A dirty windshield is harder to see out of. Keep yours clean and you’ll be able to see more clearly and pick up on any obstacles that might be in your path.
- Don’t Look Directly At Oncoming Lights — Though glare from other vehicles can be blinding, you can avoid it by not looking directly at oncoming traffic. Keep your eyes on the right side of the road and avert your gaze slightly when you notice high beams coming your way.
Remember it’s safety first! keep these tips in mind next time you’re about to hit the road, and you’ll find the journey to be that much safer because of them.
