Drivers have trouble seeing at night

Nighttime driving can lead to serious problems, including visual difficulties that may increase the risk of a deadly car accident.

Many people in North Carolina and throughout the country are still behind the wheel once the sun sets. People may be traveling to or from work, running late errands or going home from a night on the town. In any event, motorists are still out and about at night, which could lead to significant dangers for people on the road. According to the National Safety Council, people are three times more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident when driving at night as opposed to driving during the day. When the sun goes down, risky driving behavior, fatigue and decreased visual function can lead to more dangerous conditions on the road. It is important to be aware of these dangers so people can stay aware and decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of a nighttime accident.

Visual difficulties

There is no question that is it harder to see at night than it is during the day. At least 90 percent of a driver’s reaction time depends on their vision. People may have a decreased reaction to pedestrians, traffic lights, stop signs, bad weather conditions and hazards in the road. The lack of natural light can cause a wide-range of problems for the eyes. At night, people may have trouble judging the distance and speed of oncoming vehicles. This may cause a driver to pull out in front of or turn in front of another motorists, creating the perfect conditions of an accident.

Aging eyes

As drivers age, they may start to be afflicted with eye conditions that can make it hard to see at night as well, according to the American Optometric Association. Cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment and glaucoma can all cause issues for drivers. Older drivers may have trouble accommodating to see different things as well.

Headlight hazards

When bright headlights shine directly in motorists’ field of vision, it can cause temporary blindness. It is crucial that drivers avoid staring directly into bright headlights and look away as best as possible. Headlight glare can cause loss of peripheral vision and so it is important to drive with care when approaching oncoming vehicles.

Getting the help you need

Navigating the roads at night may seem like an easy task, but the inherent dangers of doing so may end up costing a life. If you have been injured in a driving accident, you may want to speak to a personal injury attorney regarding your legal rights and options.