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With extended daylight hours, more people are staying out later walking, running, bike riding, dog walking, and enjoying the nice weather. Dusk hours, however, create difficult conditions for drivers and increase the potential for accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that 26 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur during the dusk hours from 6:00 p.m. to 8:59 p.m.

Drivers have a responsibility to be prepared to drive in changing light conditions. The glare of the setting sun makes visibility more difficult.

The DOT (Department of Transportation) advises pedestrians and runners to take extra precaution during the dusk hours. The department's statistics show that a pedestrian is injured in a traffic crash every eight minutes. Children darting out between vehicles and dashing across intersections account for 60 to 70 percent of total pedestrian injuries for children under the age of 10.

Dusk Driving

Drivers: The following tips from AARP will help drivers drive more safely during the dusk hours:

1. Prepare your vehicle before hitting the road. Any time you drive, make sure the vehicle is in the best working condition. Preparing to drive at night, dusk and dawn, make sure the lights - headlights, taillights, brake lights and signals are clean and working properly. Clean the outside and inside of the light to ensure clarity about once a week. Also have the aim of your headlights inspected when you take your vehicle in for maintenance.
2. Be conscious of vision changes
3. Use the headlights properly. Avoid high beams to prevent blinding oncoming traffic.
4. Avoid unnecessary dangers. You are far more likely to get tired behind the wheel when driving at dusk or dawn. If feeling drowsy, pull over.

Pedestrians & Runners: The AAA (American Automobile Association) and the NHTSA recommends pedestrians and runners:

• Make sure they are visible to drivers at all times.
• Make eye contact with drivers in stopped vehicles to be sure they see them before they cross in front of them.
• Put down phones. Smartphones and hand-held electronics often require users to take their eyes off the road.
• Don’t wear headphones. Ears tell pedestrians and runners a lot about what is happening around them.
• Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, be sure to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic.
• Use crosswalks when crossing the street. If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find the most well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.
• Be predictable. Obey signs and signals, and follow the rules of the road.

Bicyclists: Bicycle riders also need to take extra precautions at dusk. BicycleSafe.com advises:

• Wear a helmet. Helmets reduce the risk of brain injury in a crash by 85 percent.
• Do not ride against traffic. Go with the flow, not against it. Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Yield to traffic and pedestrians when appropriate.
• Be predictable. Ride in a straight line, not in and out of cars.
• Use hand signals. Hand signals tell motorists what bicyclists intend to do.
• Look out for road hazards. Use eyes and ears. Watch out for obstacles that could make a bicyclist lose control. Listen for traffic .
• Look before turning. When turning left or right, always look behind for a break in traffic; then signal before making the turn.
• Watch for vehicles coming out of or turning into driveways.
• Stop and look for cars at intersections, and make sure drivers see you before crossing.
• Enter the roadway in areas that motorists would expect, like a street corner.

Seeing and being seen are fundamental prerequisites for safe driving. Inadequate visibility is an important factor that influences the risk of a road crash among all types of road users.

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Fort Myers Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.