Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm on November 6, 2018 in Auto Accident. Updated on February 24, 2022
Nighttime driving conditions can be dangerous because visibility is substantially impacted by reduced light. Driving in the dark increases car accidents, due to difficulty judging distances, reduced depth perception and temporary blindness from headlight glare.
Below are tips for staying safe on roadways at night. Being aware of the causes of after-dark accidents and precautions to take when driving at night can help you avoid a collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of nighttime car accident fatalities is three times higher than fatalities from daytime accidents.
Common causes of after-dark car crashes include:
Drivers should take the following steps to improve the safety of their nighttime driving:
Under California law, drivers are required to use their headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. If weather conditions or low visibility requires the use of windshield wipers, headlights must also be used.
Low beam headlights should be used when driving in the rain after dark. Drivers should use high beam headlights on open country roads or dark city streets when permitted. Drivers must dim headlights to low beams within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles, or within 300 feet of a vehicle he or she is following.
If you were injured in a car accident, contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. Our experienced legal team can review your case and inform you of your legal options for pursuing the compensation you deserve. We require no upfront fees and payment is only due if we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation. Call (916) 777-7777.