Traffic Death Rates Higher at Night

Did you know that traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day?

According to the National Safety Council, 90% of a drivers reaction depends on vision, which is significantly limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision are diminished during sunset.

If you’re over age 50, you may need twice as much light to see as well as you did at the age of 30.

Keep in mind that twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive because the light is constantly changing. The National Safety Council recommends that when the sun goes down follow these safety tips:

• Turn on your headlights - they won’t help you see better but will help others see you.
• Don’t "outdrive" your headlights. You should be able to stop inside the lighted area.

Source: Tail lights. (1999, March/April). USAA Magazine, 48.

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