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More than half of all fatal car accidents occur between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This is true despite the fact that fewer cars, trucks, and SUVs are on the road during the night hours. So why is this the case? Below, Fort Myers accident lawyer Randall L. Spivey discusses the issues.

Several Factors Contribute to the Increased Risks of Driving at Night

Several factors contribute to the increased risks of driving at night. While any one of these factors can cause a car accident, two or more of these factors will often combine to result in a serious or fatal collision.

1. Decreased Visibility

Darkness decreases drivers’ visibility substantially. Glare from streetlights and approaching vehicles’ headlights can also impair drivers’ ability to see at night. When drivers cannot see their surroundings or cannot see as far down the road as they can during the day, they are at a much greater risk of causing accidents unless they slow down. Unfortunately, many drivers do not take their decreased visibility into account when driving during the nighttime hours.   

2. Drowsiness and Fatigue

Drowsiness and fatigue are also common factors in nighttime car accidents. Most people who are driving at night are either out late or up early, and this means that they are at increased risk of impairment due to drowsiness or fatigue. Studies have also shown that the human body responds to darkness, and when it is dark outside, our bodies naturally want us to go to sleep.

3. Alcohol Impairment

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately half of all fatal car accidents that occur between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. involve alcohol-impaired drivers. Between midnight to 3:00 a.m., this number is closer to two-thirds. While there is no excuse for drunk driving, it remains a significant issue on Florida’s roads, especially at night. Although downtown areas can be particularly dangerous when it comes to the risk of encountering a drunk driver, alcohol-involved accidents can (and do) happen on all types of roads across Florida.

4. Distractions

Combined with decreased visibility, drowsiness, and the possibility of alcohol impairment, driving distractions become much more dangerous at night. Drivers who are distracted are less likely to identify accident risks on the road, and by the time they identify these risks, it will often be too late.

Even though texting behind the wheel is now illegal in Florida, it remains a leading cause of car accidents in the state. Distracted drivers can—and should—be held legally responsible when they cause accidents, and a texting ticket is just one possible piece of evidence that can be used against them.

5. Bad Decision-Making

Many nighttime car accidents simply result from drivers making bad decisions. For example, a driver may choose to run a red light on a seemingly empty street at 2:00 a.m. But, the driver might fail to notice a vehicle approaching the intersection from another direction, and as a result, the driver might cause a serious T-bone collision.

Speeding past stop signs, failing to yield at roundabouts and other dangerous mistakes can also have life-altering or life-threatening consequences. Yet, many drivers overlook (or simply ignore) these risks when driving after dark.

Steps Drivers Can Take to Avoid Nighttime Car Accidents

Given these risk factors, what can drivers do to reduce their chances of being involved in a nighttime car accident? Some examples of steps drivers can take to help keep themselves safe include:

• Staying Alert – When driving at night, it is important to stay alert. Make sure you are not too tired to drive and do not pick up your phone while you are behind the wheel. If you are alert and paying attention to the task at hand, you will be prepared to take evasive action (if possible) in the event that another driver puts you in harm’s way.  
• Driving Defensively – It is always best to drive defensively, but this is especially important at night when the risks of being involved in an accident are more significant. Leave other cars plenty of buffer, approach intersections cautiously, and obey all of the rules of the road.
• Ensuring Your Lights Work – Ensuring that your vehicle is as visible as possible can reduce your risk of being hit at night. Before you hit the road, make sure your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are all in good working order.
• Avoiding Peak Hours – According to the IIHS, close to one in five fatal car accidents occur between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. In addition, one in six fatal car accidents occur between 9:00 p.m. and midnight. By avoiding the roads during these peak hours, you can reduce your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal collision.
• Buckling Up – According to data from the NHTSA, seatbelts save around 15,000 lives every year. The NHTSA also reports that 51 percent of all passenger vehicle occupants killed in auto accidents in 2020 were unrestrained. As a result, by buckling up, you can significantly reduce your risk of suffering fatal injuries in a nighttime vehicle collision.

Unfortunately, even if you take all of these steps, this still might not be enough to protect you from a drowsy, drunk, distracted, or careless driver. In some instances, there is simply nothing you can do to avoid being seriously injured in a collision. If you have been injured (or a loved one has been killed) in a nighttime car accident, you should promptly speak with a Fort Myers accident lawyer about your legal rights.

Contact a Fort Myers Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a nighttime car accident in Florida, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation to learn more. To discuss your legal rights with Fort Myers accident lawyer Randall L. Spivey in confidence, please call Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorney, P.A. toll-free at 888-477-4839, locally at 239-337-7483 or contact us online today.