What Is the Most Dangerous Time To Drive?
Hannah DeWitt
· 3 min read
Everyone wants to be
safe on the road
, and choosing a safe car
can be a great way to help with that. However, a safe car is not the only way to reduce the risk of accidents. It’s also good to be aware of which times are the most dangerous to drive. According to the
National Safety Council
(NSC), generally speaking, driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day. Here are some of the other most risky times of the day to drive.
Rush hour is a dangerous time to drive
Rush hour typically refers to the hours between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and it’s one of the most hectic times on the road. With everyone returning from work, going to dinner, or driving to other activities, streets can become busy and crowded, making them more dangerous.
Impatient drivers can increase the level of danger during rush hour. They may be less attentive, and with added traffic on the road and drivers who are ready to be home after a long day, people's minds aren’t focused on the task at hand.
Distracted driving
can also be more common at this time. At the end of the workday, drivers may check their phones or eat behind the wheel, which is especially unsafe as it gets darker and the streets get more congested.It’s riskier to drive in the dark
Driving in the dark can increase the risk of accidents as well. Cars are equipped to drive safely in dark conditions with
headlights
and other safety features. However, lower visibility can still be a concern.As much illumination as headlights provide, drivers can still see less at night compared to the day. This lack of visibility gives drivers less time to react to the road. Oncoming headlights can also be a safety concern, as they can temporarily blind or disorient drivers.
Other factors can make driving in the dark even more dangerous. As humans age, our vision at night becomes worse. Drivers with glasses that don't have anti-reflective lenses may also have problems seeing in the dark.
Why else is it dangerous to drive at night?
While lower visibility is one of the biggest overall factors that make driving at night more dangerous, there are other risks at night.
Fatigued and drowsy drivers account for a shockingly high number of car crashes, and this affects more than just drivers on long trips. Ensuring that you get enough sleep at night and recognizing when you're too tired to drive are important precautions to take to avoid this.
Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol also make night driving less safe. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and less control over themselves, and they’re more likely to be on the road late at night.
Recognizing dangerous times to drive and observing other safety practices can help protect you on the road and decrease your car insurance costs.
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