Winter is approaching which means not only a change in weather but shorter days and longer nights. If you drive, then this means that your chances of operating your vehicle in the dark are higher.
Driving comes with hazards at any time and in any weather conditions, but there are some things you need to be aware of when driving in the dark.
Impaired visibility
The visual system of humans is not really designed to navigate in the dark. Headlights, street lamps and other safety measures can help somewhat, but they cannot mitigate all the risks of driving in the dark. The truth is that your vision is going to be impaired, which means you need to be more careful. If your vision is impaired then the eyesight of every other road user, cyclist and pedestrian is also going to be less than optimal. This significantly increases the chances of accidents.
Fatigue
For the most part, humans sleep at night and carry out their tasks during the daytime. These are well-established practices that date back through the centuries. Humans are conditioned to be alert during the day and less alert at nighttime (when it’s dark). Thus, you’re far more likely to feel fatigued at night than you are during the day. The same can be said for your counterparts on the road.
No matter how careful you are, it’s impossible to control the behavior of other road users. They might not be aware of the particular dangers that apply to nighttime driving. If you have been injured by someone who was negligent, then you may be entitled to legal compensation for your suffering.