A little extra caution can go a long way while driving at night
Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their pleasures — including Ice skating — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads.
You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: Even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23% of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50% of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).
Because we’re big advocates for safety at Point Insurance, we thought it would be helpful to look at why night driving is more dangerous and what you can do to decrease that danger.
What’s dangerous about night driving?
- Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different eye parts (such as the iris, pupil, and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is slightly improved, but focusing on objects ahead of you is more challenging. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.
- Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means by the time they see something on the road; it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.
- Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66% of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts.
So what do you do?
Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night. So here are some tips to help you make a safe trip — whether you’re just running to the store or headed to visit family.
- Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but turn signals, taillights, etc.
- Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.
- Be more aware of your surroundings. It would help if you weren’t using your phone, messing around with the radio, or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road anyway — and distractions are even more deadly at night.
Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, it is best to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted, safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out!
Sidebar:
We’re open all day!
When driving around during the day, stop into Point Insurance for a review of your coverage. We won’t keep you after dark, we promise. We’re here to help!
Contact Us!
At Point Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 833.280.6080 or send us a message at 617.448.1147. We want to help you meet your goals and ensure that what’s important to you is protected!
