Did you know that nearly 50% of traffic deaths occur at night even though we only do about a quarter of our driving during this time?
With less light, visibility is reduced. It’s harder to see potential hazards. And since you can’t see as far in the dark as you can during the day, you may have much less time to react to those hazards.
The dangers of driving at night are exacerbated during the holidays. Not only are there more hours of darkness during the winter but there are also more people out on the roads. You have shoppers, party-goers, and people traveling to be with family. Oh, and don’t forget that the weather can be worse during the holiday season than during other times of the year, increasing the risk level further.
Maybe this is why we saw a total of nearly 8,000 American traffic deaths from November to December of 2021, compared to just around 6,200 from January to February of that year.
If you can avoid driving at night over the holidays, do it. Use this as an excuse to stay in with a good holiday movie! But if you don’t have that luxury, use these five tips for driving at night over the holidays to help you stay safe.
Top 5 Tips for Driving at Night Over the Holidays
1. Rely on Your Driver’s Ed Basics
What are the first things you learn in driver’s ed courses?
Follow traffic signs.
Don’t go over the speed limit.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Maintain your vehicle.
These fundamentals go a long way in preventing accidents. Traffic signs will alert you to potential hazards like sharp turns and pedestrian crosswalks. Reducing your speed will give you more time to react to potential hazards. Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you will give you a bigger cushion if that driver suddenly brakes. And maintaining your vehicle gives you several safety boosts!
Good tires mean better traction, working headlights mean better visibility, working brake lights give the driver behind you notice that you’re slowing down, and clear windows make it easier to monitor your surroundings.
2. Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is on the rise. Entering a destination in your nav, changing music, and checking texts all take your eyes and attention off the road. Distractions while driving lead to around 3,000 American deaths per year.
The good news is that there are lots of ways to avoid distractions while driving. For example, you can silence your phone and put it away. Set up your navigation before putting the car in drive. And eat before you leave the house.
3. Never Drink and Drive
Drunk driving is always a horrific danger, with over 13,000 Americans dying in alcohol-related crashes in 2021.
During the holidays, drinking increases… by around 33% according to some estimates. And with the increase in drinking comes an increase in fatal drunk driving crashes. In 2021, nearly 1,000 Americans were killed in drunk driving accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day alone.
If you are going to have a holiday drink, choose a designated driver in your group or use an alternative method of transport, like a ridesharing service or public transport.
And even if you're not drinking, be on the lookout for those who are. Practice your defensive driving techniques to protect yourself and your passengers from the behaviors of other drivers.
4. Watch for Pedestrians
In 2021, more than 7,300 pedestrians died in America. And three out of every four deaths happened at night.
It can be difficult to see pedestrians after dark, especially if they’re wearing dark clothing. Take extra care to watch for joggers, holiday shoppers, bar-hoppers, and kids walking home from school events.
5. Take a Quick Eye Test
If you are struggling to see at night, have your eyes tested. Even young drivers can develop eye issues. Some conditions, like astigmatism, cause a halo effect around lights, which can make the glare from headlights and streetlights practically blinding.
Your optometrist may be able to correct vision issues with a simple prescription for glasses or contacts. You can also help reduce the effects of nighttime lights by keeping your windows and mirrors clean.
Driver’s Ed Can Help Keep You Safe
A solid driver’s ed foundation can teach you how to stay safe while driving at night during the holiday season. With online driver’s ed courses, you can learn at your own pace, from the comfort of home.
Enroll in your driver’s ed course today and enjoy a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Updated 12/14/23