It Will Soon be Dark for Evening Rush Hour

It Will Soon be Dark for Evening Rush Hour

By Pyle Law, Reviewed by E. Thomas Pyle December 07 2020 10:39 am

The end of daylight saving time means more driving in the dark, which makes driving that much more dangerous. Decreased visibility and drowsy drivers are two of the major risk factors to keep in mind. 

The days are getting shorter, and the end of daylight saving time (DST) is almost upon us, which means that, soon enough, rush hour will be dark from nearly start to finish. Under the cover of darkness, rush hour becomes that much more dangerous, which makes remembering the rules of driving defensively that much more important. If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident – during rush hour or anytime – seek the professional legal counsel of an experienced Kansas car accident attorney. 

Fall Back

We are preparing to fall back and say goodbye to daylight saving time on Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 AM CST. This means that many of us will be spending more time behind the wheel as darkness falls and in the dark. Driving in the dark is riskier to begin with. When you add rush hour traffic to the mix – when heavy traffic makes accidents more likely – it makes driving a riskier endeavor.

The Dangers of Nighttime Driving

The National Safety Council (NSC) shares that the dark compromises motorists in all of the following ways:

• Drivers are more likely to be drowsy, and fatigued drivers are three times more likely to be involved in car accidents.
• Visibility is reduced to about 500 feet (with high beams) and about 250 feet (with normal headlights), which cuts drivers’ available reaction time considerably (especially at higher speeds). 
• Drivers’ peripheral vision, color recognition, and depth perception can all be compromised in low light, which makes seeing what’s ahead more difficult.

Although visibility is limited, traffic can be dense, and rush hour drivers are notorious for being impatient. In other words, the situation can be a recipe for traffic accidents. 

Stay Safe after the Time Change

The NSC provides the following tips to help you proceed with caution and get home safely:

• Don’t let the rush of rush hour get to you – slow down.
• Remain in your lane and be on the lookout for aggressive motorists who dart in and out of lanes.
• Even though you know the route like the back of your hand, don’t check out behind the wheel.
• Put down your phone and remain distraction-free.

You are your best defense against the negligence of other drivers. 

Work Closely with an Experienced Kansas Car Accident Attorney 

If another motorist leaves you injured, the dedicated car accident attorneys at Pyle Law in Kansas have considerable experience helping clients like you successfully recover on their full range of physical, emotional, financial damages. Our resourceful legal team is committed to helping you do the same – as you make your way toward your fullest recovery. Your case matters, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 620-374-9299 for more information today.