Nighttime Driving and Car Accidents

ORLANDO, FL, August 08, 2012 (Press-News.org) Nighttime driving presents motorists with a new set of circumstances that can quickly become dangerous if you are not careful. Your ability to perceive distance and make good driving judgments is significantly impaired at night, since the human eye requires light to see. Because of this, nighttime driving is a top contributor to car accidents.

The Importance of Visual Clarity When Driving

Around 95% of all decisions made by a driver are based on visual perception. Your eyes are still capable of seeing in limited or dim light, but the combination of road lights and headlights - with the nighttime darkness beyond them - can cause problems with your vision.

When your eyes must constantly switch from darkness to brightness (for example, when you look into the headlights of oncoming traffic) the clarity of your depth perception is often compromised. Because of this, you must take extra precautions to avoid getting into a car accident at night. Despite the fact that there is 60% less traffic on the road at night, over 40% of all fatal collisions occur when the sun goes down.

Driving at dawn or at dusk are also dangerous times on the road, because while the sky is still relatively well lit, the roads have already begun to grow dark, causing a disparity that can lead to vision problems for drivers.

Drunk Drivers and Fatigued Drivers More Dangerous at Night

Drunk drivers are more common on the road at night, as they are on their way home from bars and late-night parties. When you're driving at night, you should be on the lookout for these drivers to help avoid a major car accident. Fatigued driving is another added nighttime danger on the road. Drivers who temporarily fall asleep at the wheel, or even those who are merely drowsy and unobservant, can cause serious car accidents.

If you find yourself momentarily closing your eyes or nodding off during your nighttime drive home, stop at a well-lit parking lot or a rest stop to take a quick nap. Even a short nap can replenish you better than the temporary spark you'll get from caffeine or loud music over the car stereo.

Additionally, you should allow for plenty of distance to stop if an impaired driver in front of you suddenly halts or makes an erratic maneuver. Your low-beam headlights should allow you to see 150 feet in front of your, while high beams illuminate around 500 feet. Make sure that, if you must brake hard, you can safely brake within the amount of distance you can see.

If you have more questions about car accidents and nighttime driving, please visit the website of experienced Orlando car accident lawyer Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. today.

Website: http://www.themdjd.com