Even as the sun sets in Montana, motorists still fill the roadways. People are running errands, driving home from work or are headed out for a night on the town. While you may be familiar with navigating the roads at night, you may not know of the added dangers that are involved with nighttime driving. According to AAA, people are three times more likely to die in a catastrophic accident at night than they are during the day. If you understand what these hazards are, you may be able to minimize your risk of becoming involved in a deadly car accident.
Drivers have a difficult time seeing when there is a lack of natural light. Even with street lights, motorists experience a change in their peripheral vision and depth perception. This makes it hard to judge the distance and speed of oncoming traffic, especially if you are over the age of 65. Furthermore, bright headlights from oncoming traffic can cause temporary blindness. It is important to avoid looking directly into headlights and never pull out in front of traffic without knowing it is safe.
There are more drunk drivers on the road at night than there are during the day. It is critical that you drive defensively and be on the lookout for drivers who are driving in a dangerous manner. Put away all distractions and keep your eyes on the road. Make sure you are able to respond quickly to bad weather conditions, objects in the road, traffic signals, pedestrian crosswalks and other motorists.
This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.
At Colton Holm Law Firm, we look forward to learning how we can help you resolve your legal concern.Call us today: (406) 259-9986