Does anyone agree that night time driving is dangerous?

Question

I was nearly in a fatal accident last night, after coming round a roundabout I didnt see the kerb and bouced off it, thank god there wasnt any vehicles behind me or someone could have possibly been killed.

Answer 1

No, it is the driver that may be dangerous.

Every driver should always drive safely whatever the conditions.

Answer 2

I'm a little concerned that you felt this could have been fatal, just how fast were you going through this roundabout?
I've driven the nightshift for a year through the worst weather I've ever been in and didn't have any problems. I find the roads a lot quieter at night, some people don't know a high beam from a low beam but for the most part I found they were pretty good. Any fatal accidents on this highway, and there were way too many, all occurred during peak taffic hours in the morning and evening. I prefer night driving.

Answer 3

Night time driving is dangerous for a few reasons.
1) People driving at night are more likely to be tired or in drink.
2) The distance you can see diminishes dramatically.
3) Stereoscopic vision is not as good in the dark.
4) Pedestrians are less easy to spot and again may be tired or in drink.
5) Oncoming Lights and standing water may dazzle you.
6) the lane markers are less defined especially if it is wet/icy

Although more accidents occur during the day (more people on the road) the fatal ones are more often at night or twilight.

Answer 4

I find driving at night a lot easier.... If you didnt see the kerb, maybe your headlights need adjusting, or your roundabout exit speed was a little high ?

I find that driving at night is different, but not any more difficult or dangerous than driving during the day. I can see oncoming cars before they are in my line of view as thier headlights shine over hills and around corners.

Answer 5

One must be awake to be driving at night. I drive a professional van over 300 miles roundtrip M-F for my job. I've only been in one major accident, the other person's fault. I've hit many deer, and other critters. If you're not comfortable driving at night, then don't. If you drink, don't drive. Always stay 3 to 4 carlinks behind someone, and just be a good defensive driver. Always expect the unexpected. Maybe you should take a driving course. The Smith System is a good course. Or maybe you should just pay closer attention to your surroundings?

Answer 6

It is. Considering the fact that you are more likely to be tired or less alert after a day at work or a night out add low light conditions and emptier roads leading to speeding vehicles.
Precautions can be taken though. One can ensure that their tail lights work and your head lights are properly angled so as to thrown enough light on the road as well as onto opposing traffic. Winshield scans (Where the driver must be alert and scan the road from one end of the screen to the other) help a little too. I personally own a bike and totally agree that riding at night is a little 'on the edge'. Hope this helps and drive safe.

Answer 7

It's absolutely no use blaming the darkness, the street lighting, the roads, pot-holes, bunny rabbits, bright lights, lack of cat's eyes or trees that are out to get you!

If you can't see at night, then you should stay at home, because it is YOU who are dangerous.

In point of fact, I drive all night as a truck-driver, and it is by far the safest, most relaxing and pleasant time of all to drive, and moreover, I'm bright eyes and bushy tailed in the wee small hours.....dead as a corspe in the afternoons! I've always been a night person.

OK. I'm lucky, because I have superb night-vision.....I was born that way. I can actually see black cats (not just the eyes) on unlit roads at night, and usually before the headlights hit them.

It's because "I" can see that that makes it not dangerous to drive at night.

Answer 8

Thank God you are ok. Yes, night driving is more dangerous than day driving and the roundabouts would be a lot safer if they painted white lines around them or put lights on them. I've done similar myself and it's very scary, so I know how you must have felt. Let's hope the Road Transport people start using their heads and our money to put things right.

Answer 9

Good question to ask,

I don't like to drive day or night sometimes,

at night i like it because it is quieter. that's it.

I hate getting dazzled, the chance of something running out into the road and all that stuff mentioned earlier are defiantly bad points.

The advantages are at least you can tell when people are coming around sharp bends, or you can tell they are creeping up behind. Also a car driving the opposite way up a hill or narrow road will be seen by its lights.


I am glad you survived.

Answer 10

Driving in the dark is only dangerous if you drive beyond your abilities. If you have a problem in seeing well, get your eyes tested as some people literally can't see well. Eating carrots can help as can some other foods - its something to do with carotene helping the vision. Drive at a speed that you are comfortable with and use yellow driving glasses which help you see better, stop reflections and reduce glare from lights.

PS It helps if you turn on your headlights !!!----Joking.

Answer 11

No i think night time driving is probably safer as long as you have good lights and pay plenty of attention to all the hazards on the road, the only disadvantage is thatyou see hazards later because they are more visible in the daytime.
Atleast in the dark you can see another car coming sooner because of the lights.