If you are like most people, you spend a great deal of time on the road. Whether driving to and from work, picking up the kids from school or going grocery shopping. Most people are not aware, however, that some times of the day are more dangerous than others.
Specific times of day, rush hour during the week and holidays tend to be when drivers are at a higher risk of an accident, with the highest risk being at nighttime.
Nighttime driving
Driving at night is the most dangerous time to drive because you do not have full visibility and can easily miss an obstacle on the road or a construction zone, despite signs and speed limits. In addition, if you are used to sleeping during the night, driving at night can be a shock to your system, and you may be tired.
Even if you try to stay awake by drinking coffee, you can still fall asleep behind the wheel. It is also important to consider any medications that you may be taking because that could potentially impact your ability to drive at night, whether because the medication can make you sleepy or drowsy.
Driving during rush hour
Most people drive to work early in the morning and return home late afternoon or early evening. These times of day are also dangerous for drivers and pose an additional risk because there is higher traffic, there are more cars on the road and you can easily get stuck in traffic.
If you get stuck in traffic, pulling your phone out or looking around for something inside your car may seem harmless. However, taking your eyes off the road, even for a second, can increase your chances of getting into an accident.
Driving during holidays
Holiday times are also one of the most dangerous times to drive. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and other major holidays are when many people are out and about celebrating, which means you can encounter a drunk driver. In addition, the traffic during the holidays is also high, which elevates your risk even more.
It is not possible to avoid driving during certain times that are dangerous, and we all know that. However, being aware of the most dangerous times and why those times are hazardous can help you be more alert than usual during these times so you can do your best to avoid a car accident.