November 8, 2018
How To Avoid Auto Accidents When Driving At Night in Michigan
According to a report by the National Safety Council, the likelihood of a fatal crash is three times greater in the evening and night. This shows that driving at night is dangerous and there’s the need to be cautious to avoid being an auto accident victim. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the nighttime hazards and how to avoid them. If you or a loved was in an auto accident in Michigan, a Michigan car accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto will help you in filing a Michigan car accident insurance claim.
Darkness
It goes without saying that driving at night entails driving in darkness. This comes with its fair share of problems. When driving in the dark, one’s depth perception is compromised. Color recognition takes a dip and peripheral vision is also compromised at night. Also, one can’t help but be blinded by the glare of headlights of an approaching car. Additionally, visibility is greatly limited. Even if you have high-beam headlights, your visibility will be limited to around 500 feet while people with normal headlights can see up to 250 feet. This means that one does not have enough time to react to things that may appear on the road, especially if they are speeding. A Detroit car accident lawyer at Elia & Ponto can help you understand Michigan PLPD insurance coverage and how to file a Michigan car accident insurance claim.
In order to combat darkness, one has to ensure that they aim their headlights correctly to make the road more visible. Also, ensure that the headlights are clean. Two, when driving in the dark, ensure that your dashboard is dimmed as a bright dashboard can limit your vision. Three, when you come across an oncoming car, look away from its lights to avoid its glare. Four, if you don glasses, ensure that they are anti-reflective. Five, ensure that the windshield is clean so as to do away with streaks. Finally, don’t drive at high speeds. Driving slowly will compensate for the fact that you can’t see much and also cut on stopping time.
Reduced night vision
Night vision refers to the ability to see under low-light conditions. The elderly are the most affected by compromised night vision. This is because the older one becomes, the more difficult it is to see at night. Research shows that a driver who is 50 may require two times as much light as drivers who are 30 years in order to see just as well. The American Optometric Association states that it is more difficult to engage in driving when at 60 and above. This is because older drivers may suffer from compromised vision as a result of cataracts or eye diseases.
For older drivers, they should take vision exams annually. Reducing speed when driving also goes a long way in avoiding crashes. They should also enroll in a refresher course since traffic rules are ever changing. Cutting down on distractions is also advised. Distractions include talking to passengers or tuning in to the radio. Since most of the elderly are on prescription drugs, checking with the doctor on possible side effects is recommended. Finally, they should drive during the day if necessary. If you or a loved was injured in an auto accident in the metro Detroit area or anywhere in Michigan, do not hesitate to contact our firm to speak with a Michigan Car accident lawyer.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another leading cause of auto accidents at night. It is often prevalent among people who work under shifts. People who also work for long hours such as health professionals also fall prey to fatigue. Also, people with sleep disorders are prone to fatigue. Fatigue doesn’t necessarily have to kick in when one is on lengthy trips.
According to the NHTSA, of the police-reported crashes, 100000 of them were due to driver fatigue. Also, these crashes occur during hours that most drivers are tired: 4am-6 am, 12am-2am and 2pm-4pm according to the National Sleep Foundation. They also note that losing even two hours has a similar effect to getting behind the wheel after taking three beers and that fatigued drivers’ tendency to be in a car crash is three times more.
To counter fatigue, ensure that you clock in seven or more hours of shut-eye every night. Also, stay away from the wheel if you’ve been wide-eyed for 24 hours or more. Also, if you are driving over long distances, ensure you make pit stops every two hours to rest. If you experience drowsiness, pull over and have a quick nap. Finally, only make trips during times when you are usually awake. If you are injured in an auto accident involving a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, do not hesitate to contact a Michigan auto accident lawyer at our firm.
In conclusion, even though night driving makes up for only a quarter of our driving, 50% of all traffic fatalities take place at night. You might be familiar with the road, but this does not make it less dangerous.
If you or a loved one was in an auto accident in Michigan and you are looking for a Michigan accident lawyer, our attorneys at Elia & Ponto are at your beck and call. They will advise you on your case and ensure that you recover your benefits.