Environmental changes due to the seasons have implications for public safety. Drivers need to be aware of seasonal risks to minimize their chances of a crash. Obviously, colder temperatures and increased precipitation levels can affect traffic safety. Most drivers are aware that they need to modify their habits during inclement winter weather. What they may fail to consider is the gradual change of the seasons and how longer nights and shorter days could actually impact their likelihood of a serious motor vehicle collision.
Drivers may not have much reason to worry about large quantities of frozen precipitation throughout the winter in North Carolina, but they can improve their traffic safety by adapting their habits to address the risk associated with longer nights and shorter days.
How do light levels affect crash risk?
The National Safety Council (NSC) advises motorists that driving after the sun sets is the most dangerous time to be on the road. That time comes much sooner in the day during the winter.
Reduced visibility is one reason why nighttime driving is dangerous. People have less opportunity to spot pedestrians, parked vehicles and animals in the road. They may also struggle to identify hazards such as potholes or debris.
Additionally, nighttime driving is dangerous due to how darkness affects the human brain and body. People experience a decrease in energy levels and are more likely to doze off or struggle to focus while driving after the sun sets. People may find themselves feeling quite fatigued on their way home from work in the afternoon, in part because of the earlier sunset during the winter months.
Motorists may want to prioritize traveling on well-lit streets during nighttime whenever possible. They may want to leave more time for their commutes during darker hours so that they can slow down without arriving late. In cases where collisions do occur, motorists may need help holding the driver at fault accountable by negotiating an insurance settlement or even pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Awareness of unique seasonal hazards, such as longer nights and shorter days, can help people avoid motor vehicle collisions (at least scenarios in which they are at fault for causing wrecks.) Holding another unsafe driver accountable for causing a crash can help injury victims repair their vehicles, pay for medical care and replace their lost wages.
