The vast majority of people rely on their vehicles every day to transport them from their homes to every location they go and back. Whether it is to work, the supermarket, or pick up the kids from school, most people use their cars daily.
There are times during the day when it is more dangerous to drive. Not all drivers think of this when they get behind the wheel, yet it is a significant way to proactively lower the risk of getting into an accident. It is impossible to avoid all risks when driving. Still, reducing your risk by avoiding especially risky driving behaviors is possible.
Driving at night
Driving at night is the single most dangerous time to drive. The limited visibility makes it difficult for people to see the road in front of them, no matter how good of a driver they are. If you are not used to driving at night, try avoiding doing so because of the risks you run when you drive at night, such as:
- Falling asleep at the wheel
- Failing to see an object on the road
- Crashing into a construction zone
- Not seeing traffic signs
In addition to these dangers, additional risk factors, such as weather or road conditions, could elevate your risk even more. If you can avoid it, drive during the day. If you cannot avoid it, try driving with someone else, and always keep your eyes on the road.
Driving to and from work
Two of the most dangerous times to drive are in the morning when everyone is driving to work, and in the early evening, when everyone is going home. Traffic congestion is a significant risk factor and causes many accidents.
When going to work or returning home, people are sometimes in a rush and willing to take unnecessary risks to arrive at their destination as early as possible. However, this is dangerous, and it puts that person at risk and every other driver around them.
If you can find alternative routes to drive on during rush hour, doing so would significantly decrease the risk of getting into an accident. Again, it is impossible to totally prevent accidents. Still, it is possible to take action to lower your risk for your safety and the safety of others.