driving after dark

What do you get when you add up the early sunsets of autumn with the end of Daylight Saving time? A lot more hours of driving in the dark.

Nighttime driving creates many additional hazards for professional truck drivers. While only 25% of all driving in the U.S. happens at night, half of all fatal crashes occur after dark, says the National Safety Council (NSC).

Knowing the answers to these five questions about the dangers of driving in the dark can help you navigate nighttime roadways safely:

How Can I Increase Visibility When Driving in the Dark?

Dark skies are just one visibility issue truck drivers must face each fall and winter. The darkness can affect your depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision, too. Plus, the glare from oncoming headlights can temporarily blind you. Dimly or poorly lit roadways don’t make things easier. Some tips to increase your visibility:

  • Use your high beams, but remember to dim them for oncoming traffic
  • Adjust your headlights properly
  • Keep your windshield and mirrors clean
  • Dim your dashboard lights

What Should I Do if I Feel Drowsy While Driving?

Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Drivers are three times more likely to be in a crash if they are fatigued, says the NSC.

  • Know the warning signs: yawning, gentle swaying of the head, slow eyelid closures, seat fidgeting, delayed reactions, trouble staying in your lane or keeping your speed
  • Pull over if you feel any of these warning signs and get some rest
  • Get seven hours of sleep a night

How Do Other Drivers Impact Driving in the Dark?

Even though it may get darker earlier, the roads you travel on won’t be any less crowded. Evening rush hour (between 4 – 7 p.m. on weekdays) is especially dangerous. In addition, most crashes or near misses happen between 4 – 6 a.m., midnight – 2 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m., says the NSC.

  • Be patient
  • Eliminate distractions (no cell phones or eating)
  • Watch for impaired or distracted drivers

Should I Driver Slower at Night?

Driving in the dark means you have less time to react if something — or someone — crosses your path. Take it slower than normal when the sun goes down:

  • Never drive over the speed limit
  • Don’t tailgate
  • Always wear your seatbelt

How Do I Avoid Hitting Deer or Other Animals at Night?

In October, November and December, drivers have a 1 in 128 chance of striking an animal on the road, says State Farm. Watch for animals around dawn and between 6 – 9 p.m., when they’re most active. If you see a deer or other animal:

  • Don’t swerve – Swerving raises your risk of striking a guardrail, utility pole or other objects
  • Should you strike an animal, pull over to a safe space. Turn on your flashers. Put down flares or reflective triangles. Call 911 or the local game commission as needed.


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Most states take part in Daylight Saving Time, and while we gain an extra hour of sleep, we also lose an hour of daytime driving.

Even though there's often less traffic on the roads at night, 50% of all traffic fatalities occur after sunset, according to the National Safety Council. The peak time of day for fatal crashes from October through March is between 4 – 7:50 p.m.

Get ready for the time change. Take this quick refresher on safe habits for driving in the dark.

1. Use your high beams – Make sure your truck's headlights are properly adjusted. When it's dark, use your high beams whenever it's safe to do so. High beams allow you to see twice as far ahead (500 feet) than low beams (about 250 – 300 feet). Switch to low beams whenever you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

2. Slow down – No matter how good your vision is, it's a simple fact that drivers can't see as much of the road at night as they can during the day. That means you should always drive the speed limit at night, and slow down even further if inclement weather or other conditions limit your visibility further.

3. Reduce glare – In just 5 seconds, a truck driving 55 mph travels the length of a football field. So, 5 seconds of blindness from glare can be dangerous. Cut down glare by keeping a clean windshield. Replace your wiper blades frequently. Dim your dashboard lights.

4. Look away from oncoming lights – Staring at the headlights from oncoming traffic can cause discomfort and reduce your reaction time. When bright lights come your way, look toward the center or the right-hand edge of the road until traffic passes. Also, adjust your mirrors so other drivers' headlights and high beams won't blind you.

5. Stay extra-alert – Night driving has many hazards, including an increased risk of collisions with wildlife, livestock, and impaired motorists. Know these risks and keep an eye out for them at all times.

6. Know your limits – According to the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, about 100,000 police-reported crashes occur each year due to drowsy driving, with peaks seen between midnight – 2 a.m. and 4 – 6 a.m. Aim for seven-and-a-half hours of sleep each night. Also, know when you start to get tired and pull over immediately and take a break.

7. Get your eyes checked. The American Optometry Association recommends getting an eye exam at least once every two years even if you don't wear glasses, and at least once a year if you wear glasses or if you are at risk for vision problems.

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