There are many dangers that drivers face at night that are rarely an issue during the day, such as low visibility. However, there for some reasons, the behaviors of those driving at night vastly differ from daytime drivers in important ways:
Alcohol consumption
It’s called “nightlife” for a reason. At night, often, but not necessarily on weekends, individuals tend to consume more alcohol at night. When those people make the choice to drive after consuming, they are singular hazards on the road. Late-night drunk driving accidents are hazards to more than just those who drink.
Fewer people wear seatbelts.
Seatbelt use is one of the leading reasons that driving is safer now than it has ever been. A seatbelt can mean the difference between life and death. According to a 2007 report, seatbelt use goes down at night, leading to more significant injuries and deaths.
More speeding at night
Speeding is a leading risk factor in accidents at any time, but many more people die in nighttime accidents than in daytime accidents. Again here, for some reason, the speeds go up when the sun goes down.
Lower visibility
Obviously, at night it can be harder to see. However, night driving isn’t often a factor for many who only commute during the day. But night driving can be much more hazardous for people with undiagnosed vision conditions.
Sleep deprivation
Drowsy driving can be an issue at any time of day, but it is a classic problem for those driving at night. Some studies have shown that nighttime induces drowsiness due to circadian rhythms. For someone on a commute, an early setting sun can make the drive a major hazard, to say nothing of their fellow drivers.
