As the Utah roads get more populated, it’s essential to know what time of day to avoid the road at the risk of being involved in auto accidents.
With the number of drivers traveling the roads and highways of the Salt Lake City and Utah Counties, it probably isn’t much of a surprise that automobile accidents are a real concern. Many accidents occur on these congested roads, resulting in hundreds of personal injuries and roughly 50 deaths per year. These car accidents cause financial, physical, and emotional losses for those who are involved.
We encourage drivers to be aware of when that risk for a car accident may be heightened. For instance, the number of accidents is more prominent at night. Let’s take a closer look at why that is.
Dangerous Times to Drive
It can be easy to ignore the dangers of driving because it is a task that most people have to do daily. However, the fact is that driving is often the riskiest activity a person will perform each day. Even if you’re a cautious driver with an excellent record, driving still comes at a risk. Data collected by the Association for Safe International Road Travel shows that, on average, over 38,000 people are killed in accidents that occur on American roads each year. Additionally, 4.4 million people become injured enough to seek medical attention after a vehicle accident.
Many factors contribute to the risks of driving, but one of the most significant factors is the time of day that a person is driving. Statistically speaking, the risk of being injured or killed in an auto accident is greater at night. Nearly 50 percent of auto accident fatalities occur after the sun has set.
What Makes Night Driving So Dangerous?
Several factors account for the increased risk of auto accidents at night. Driving at night is more dangerous for the following reasons:
- Reduced visibility: It is much more challenging to see the road and other drivers or pedestrians clearly when the sun is down. While streetlights and headlights are meant to increase visibility for night drivers, these bright lights can also be a problem, as they can temporarily blind a driver.
- Speeding: Speeding can be a problem at any time of day, but data suggests that there is an increased number of speeding drivers on the road at night.
- Drunk driving: Driving under the influence is another form of reckless driving that can occur at any time of day. However, statistics show that roughly half of the fatal crashes at night are related to driving under the influence, compared to just 18 percent of fatal crashes during the day.
- Driving without a seatbelt: Driving without a seatbelt cannot increase the risk of an auto accident, but it can certainly increase the damages of a car crash. Of those drivers who are killed in auto accidents at night, nearly two-thirds were not wearing a seatbelt.
- Fatigued drivers – While fatigue and drowsiness can take over any time of day, there are sure to be more tired drivers on the road after the sun has gone down. Tired drivers will often pay less attention to the road and may even fall asleep at the wheel, potentially causing an accident.
Safety Tips to Prevent Auto Accidents at Night
According to Drivers Prep, we should remember the following safety tips for when we must drive at night:
- Keep your car windows clean and clear of obstructions
- Make sure your headlights, blinkers, and brake lights are working properly
- Turn your headlights on before it gets dark, about 30 minutes before sundown is a good rule of thumb
- Take it slow and increase your following distance from other vehicles
- Use your low beam headlights in situations where you might be approaching a car, or there is an oncoming vehicle
- Watch the right edge of the road or your lane for a steering guide if an oncoming vehicle’s lights are too bright
- If you are tired, stop and take a break
Working with an Auto Accident Attorney
No matter what time of day an auto accident occurs, it is crucial for accident victims to work with an experienced attorney. A legal team specializing in car accidents works closely with experts in the field to prove liability so that their clients can be justly compensated for the full extent of their losses. Those injured may be due financial compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton for Compensation
If you’ve ever been injured in one or more auto accidents, you know how quickly the costs of damages add up. So, if you or a loved one has been the victim of a harmful car accident, we urge you to reach out to us to discuss your situation with one of our experienced attorneys. The auto accident lawyers at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton have helped many clients collect compensation for damages, and we’re eager to help you too. We serve residents of Utah County and Salt Lake County, so contact us today for a free case evaluation.