Driving at night is always more dangerous than daytime driving. Most accidents happen during night time and there are many factors for this. You should always drive carefully, but be especially cautious when driving at night.
But, what about nighttime driving and trucks? This seems like an even scarier topic. You should contact an Indianapolis truck accident attorney if you’re involved in a wreck.
Let’s see the factors that lead to truck accidents at night time.
Poor visibility
You can have 20/20 vision and still end up in an accident. This is because drivers tend to see better during the daytime.
This is even worse for drivers who have some from visual impairments. Winter days tend to be darker and also contribute to poor visibility.
Always make sure your headlights are correctly aimed and give you maximum visibility. Dim the lights on your dashboard and don’t look directly into oncoming lights to protect your night vision.
Always keep your windshield clean. Slow down if you notice something on the road (animal, road bumps).
Night blindness is real and it is an inability to see clearly at night. Night-time blindness is caused by a deficiency of vitamin A or a retinal disorder.
Age-related factors
It is known that the vision tends to weaken with age. Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts are a few of the visual impairments; drivers with these eye problems have difficulties driving at night.
People aged sixty-five or older should have an eye check every year. If you need glasses to see far away, make sure you always get up-to-date and correct prescriptions. Always wear your glasses or contact lenses when driving.
The best way to avoid accidents is to avoid driving at night if you have problems seeing in the dark.
This applies to younger drivers who have poor driving experience or no experience at all (no matter how good their sight is).
Fatigue
According to a study, more than a third of adult drivers admitted to having fallen asleep behind the wheel. This is a critical problem at night when it is the natural time for your body to get to sleep. People who work night shifts tend to be extremely tired once their shift ends, and it is not uncommon for them to fall asleep while driving.
Even if you are not tired, keep in mind that the truck driver might be.
Fatigued drivers may cause accidents of any type; when it comes to truck accidents, they tend to crash the truck from the back or lose control over their vehicle and slide underneath the truck.
Impaired drivers
Drunk driving often happens during the night hours, which makes night driving even more risky.
Alcohol and drugs are especially dangerous. Illegal drugs put the driver at risk as well as any other traffic participant. Even legal prescribed medication can affect the sobriety of the driver.
If you cannot avoid taking your medications, always read the labels on your medications and how it affects your body.
Avoid drinking when driving, no matter what time of the day it is. You can easily injure yourself and others, and cause any type of motor accident.
Heavier traffic
The evening rush hour happens just before or after sunset (depending on the season). Heavy traffic brings a bigger risk factor for accidents.
If you must drive during the night time, make sure you adjust your speed, be careful and alert, avoid using your phone, trying to pick things up from the glove section or the backseat.
If there is a truck on the road and you must pass it, make sure you always do it fast and on the left side.
Always keep in mind that other drivers may not be as careful and alert as you. Have in mind that the truck driver may not even see your vehicle if you approach from the sides. Avoid using high beams when trying to pass the truck.
Make sure your mirrors are correctly positioned to reduce blind spots. Keep your exterior mirrors clean so they are not blocking your vision.
A vehicle’s rear wheels have a shorter path; they could easily hit barriers during turns. Large trucks need a wider distance to do a clean turn. This is why tractor-trailer drivers often swerve to the left before turning right.
Avoid passing trucks on the right when nearing intersections so you won’t get caught between the truck and a curb.
If you were in truck accident and need guidance, call our office today and schedule your first consultation for free.
