How Daylight Saving Negatively Affects Driving

How Daylight Saving Negatively Affects Driving

Did you know a spike in car crashes occurs when we switch to daylight saving time? The “fall back” shift in November may give drivers an extra hour of sleep in the morning, but the shorter days also increase the amount of time that is spent driving in the dark. Limitations of nighttime driving can increase the risk of car wrecks.

Dangers of Driving in the Dark in Texas

Driving in the dark can be more dangerous since visibility is limited by your car’s headlight beams, which reach between 250 and 500 feet. This limited range of vision gives drivers less time to notice and react to potential hazards on the road. Catastrophic consequences include lack of visibility to:

• Notice and stop for pedestrians.
• Observe and safely react to construction zones, especially if there is no adequate warning.
• Safely react to wildlife like deer approaching, especially when traveling at high speeds on rural highways.

In addition, common reckless driving behaviors become even more dangerous in the dark.

In fact, driver behavior was one of the primary causes of serious car accidents and automobile-related fatalities in Texas in 2021, according to a recent report from the Texas Department of Transportation. These preventable behaviors include:

• Aggressive driving
• Distracted driving such as using a mobile phone or social media
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving or driving under the influence
• Failure to use headlights or turn signals
• Speeding

Night Vision Limitations

Driving at night can negatively impact a person’s eyesight and judgment while on the road.  Depth perception and peripheral vision that allows drivers to see cars in adjacent lanes can be weakened. Drivers may even be temporarily blinded by the glare from oncoming headlights.

Also, as people age, driving in the dark becomes more challenging. For example, drivers in their 60s need twice as much light to see well and are at greater risk for impaired vision due to cataracts and degenerative eye diseases, according to the American Optometric Association.

What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Wreck at Nighttime

If you have been in a nighttime car wreck, follow these simple steps:

1. Pull over to a safe spot
2. Call 911
3. Request medical attention
4. Gather information from the other driver
5. Take photos and videos of the entire crash site
6. Call our team of knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys at 214-699-4409, who can fight for you and navigate the complicated insurance and legal processes.

Download this free guide from our team to learn more about what you should do if you are in a car accident.

How We Can Help After a Nighttime Car Accident

After a nighttime car accident in Texas, the reality is that life does not stop to give you a moment to process what happened. Managing the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Not only do you have to deal with damage to your car (also known as property damage), but your physical injuries, which fall under personal injury claims, are all viewed differently in the eyes of the law. That is where our knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys at The Button Law Firm can help. They will be your advocate and navigate the insurance and legal systems for you, so all you have to do is focus on healing.

In the event you are in a serious nighttime car accident, you may be eligible for compensation to cover:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages from missing work while seeking medical treatment and recovering from the accident
• Future expenses to manage injuries

Also, a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that fatalities on roads in the first quarter of 2022 increased 20% since 2020, and have jumped 42% since 2011. That is scary to think about. If the unspeakable happens to your family, our attorneys will fight to help your family get justice and compensation to cover:

• Funeral expenses
• Medical expenses incurred prior to passing away
• Other unexpected costly fees

Our team of experienced car accident attorneys at The Button Law Firm is ready to advocate for you and your family after a car accident in Texas. We can help you seek compensation for your injuries and keep you moving forward. Call us at 214-699-4409 or fill out a contact form to get started.