People should always be cautious when driving at any time, but a study in the United States has found that car accidents are most likely to occur during peak hours at night, emphasizing the need for extra attention while driving.
According to a report by the Huffington Post, researchers at the US technology marketing company “Hennessey Digital” conducted a study for a law firm analyzing data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine the time periods when most accidents occur in each state across America.
The analysis revealed that fatal car accidents in most states across the US tend to occur predominantly at night. In 12 states including Colorado, Arkansas, and Oregon, the most dangerous time is from 5:00 pm to 5:59 pm.
In 10 states such as North Carolina, Ohio, and New York, the period between 6:00 pm and 6:59 pm is the most hazardous. Meanwhile, in 7 states like California, Florida, and Arizona, the time from 8:00 pm to 8:59 pm poses the highest risk of accidents.
David Vicknair, a lawyer at the law firm, highlighted that the analysis indicates the heightened risks of driving during nighttime peak hours, which are often attributed to traffic congestion and drivers potentially being fatigued or distracted.
These findings align with previous research on peak hours, indicating that both morning and evening peak hours are the most dangerous times to drive. For example, a quarter of car accidents in North Carolina occur during nighttime peak hours.
One significant reason for this trend is that these hours experience high traffic volumes, leading to drivers being more impulsive and reckless, as well as an increased presence of trucks on the road.
Driving at night is generally risky for individuals of all age groups, especially for inexperienced young drivers. In 2022, the most common time for teenage fatalities in car accidents was between 9:00 pm and midnight, with nearly half of fatal accidents involving teens occurring between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.
Another reason why driving at night is so perilous is that it is when people are most likely to feel fatigued.
NHTSA points out that accidents caused by fatigue driving are most frequent between midnight and 6:00 am, as well as later in the afternoon. During these hours, people’s circadian rhythms tend to decline.
The best way to reduce the risk of accidents is to avoid dangerous driving behaviors. It is crucial to adhere to the following road rules:
Stay alert while driving, avoid texting or distractions. Adhere to posted speed limits. Nighttime visibility decreases, so slow down to compensate for this factor.
Speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicles, so it’s advisable to keep a distance from them. If a vehicle is tailgating you, create more space between your car and theirs.
Previously, a driving instructor told the Huffington Post that when being tailgated, the safest approach is to pull over or change lanes until the tailgating vehicle passes. If that’s not possible, reduce speed and increase the distance between your car and the one in front.
Many accidents occur on Saturday nights, so when planning to go out during this time, designate a sober driver, opt for a taxi or ride-sharing, or stay overnight at a friend’s place to avoid accidents.
Ideally, you should have sufficient sleep at night to steer clear of fatigue while driving. However, according to NHTSA, if you feel drowsy, it’s essential to pull over at a rest stop for a short break.
When you’re too tired or overwhelmed, your ability to think clearly diminishes. It’s best to have a safer backup plan for getting home if you’re exhausted or preoccupied to avoid endangering yourself and others.
In the event of an accident, aside from alerting authorities, make sure to inform your car insurance company as you have auto insurance.
Car insurance helps alleviate financial and commuting burdens resulting from accidents. Regardless of the severity of the accident, it is necessary to report to your car insurance company at all times, even if you believe you are not at fault.