Night Driving Car Accidents Have More Fatalities
Car accidents are a real risk every time we set out in our car but night time poses a significant increase in the risk for fatal crashes. Across the Unites States, 49 percent of all fatal car crashes happen at night, with a fatality rate per mile of travel about three times as high as that for daytime hours.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, contact a car accident attorney today. He or she may be able to get you a settlement several times what you could negotiate on your own.
Night driving car accident statistics
While driving in the dark increases the risk for fatal crashes, research by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that other risk factors more prevalent at night compound the problems associated with the dark.
These factors are:
- More drunk drivers on the road. In fact, 54 percent of car crashes at night involve an impaired driver compared to just 18 percent during the day.
- More speeding at night. Among all fatal crashes in 2005, 30 percent involved speeding but broken down between day and night crashes, there is a significant difference. Twenty-one percent of fatal daytime crashes involved speeding compared to 37 percent of fatal night time car crashes.
- More people riding without a safety belt. According to the NHTSA, two-thirds of people killed in night-time car accidents were not wearing their seat belt compared to less than 50 percent of those killed in daytime car crashes.
- Peak traffic. When the sun sets early in the fall and winter months, commuters are driving to and from work in the dark. An increase in traffic combined with the dark is a recipe for car accidents.
Night time driving safety tips
Ninety-five percent of car accidents are caused by human error which means that there is a lot of room for improvement. Follow these safety tips to help reduce your chance of being involved in a night time car crash:
- Avoid driving in the dark if you can
- Avoid driving at peak traffic times if possible. See if your company will let you work from home – even some of the days – or if you can alter your schedule to go in early or late to avoid the rush.
- Ensure that you and your passengers wear seat belts.
- Never drink and drive.
- Follow the posted speed limits. Drive below the speed limit in case of heavy rain, snow or ice.
- Always use your turn signals well in advance of making a move.
- Drive defensively. Never tailgate and leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead. Watch for brake lights in front of you and slow down yourself.
- Never run a yellow light unless you cannot come to a stop safely.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an accident or injury, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
