Motor vehicle accidents that occur after dark are three times more likely to result in a fatality, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. And when a pedestrian is involved, that crash victim is 76% more likely to succumb to their injuries. Driving at night is simply more dangerous than driving during the day. In order to safely navigate the roads after dark, drivers must contend with:
- Reduced visibility;
- Fatigue;
- Headlight glare; and
- Impaired drivers.
The National Safety Council reports that half of all traffic fatalities occur at night, despite that fact that most road travel occurs during the day. The slideshow above illustrates the most dangerous highways in the U.S. for night driving, based on government safety and accident statistics compiled by Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys.
How to avoid a nighttime accident
Geico recommends the following tips for staying safe during nighttime drives:
- Stay vigilant.
- Always avoid drinking or drugging before a drive.
- Beware of drowsy drivers, and work to counter your own fatigue.
- Clean your windshield.
- Avoid two-lane highways where nighttime headlight glare is more pronounced. These roads also tend to be curvier.
- Mind the speed limit.
- Angle headlight correctly.
- Use high beams judicially.
- Adjust dashboard light so controls are visible but not too bright.
- Keep your eyes on the road.
- Watch out for wildlife.
- Regularly maintain highlights and break lights.
See also:
Continue Reading for Free
Register and gain access to:
- Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
- Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
- Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
- Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
Already have an account? Sign In Now
© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
