Nighttime is the most dangerous time to drive, and it only gets worse during the holiday season as more people hit the roads.
Driving at night during the holidays is risky due to less daylight, more distracted drivers, and hazardous weather. Learn how to stay safe if you have to travel at night this upcoming holiday season.
Latest Statistics on Night Driving Accidents
While over 46,000 people died in car accidents in 2022, half of these deaths occurred at night. The startling part of this fact is that only a quarter of our driving takes place in the dark.
AAA estimates that over 119.3 million people will be traveling during the 2024 holiday season, with 107 million of them traveling by car. This is over 2.5 million more drivers than 2023's estimate. Even some of the 8 million fliers are likely to rent a car at their destination. All of this means that there will be many more drivers on the road this holiday season — especially at night.
How to Stay Safe Driving at Night During the Holidays
1. Rely on What You Learned in Driver's Ed
What are the first things you learn in driver’s ed courses?
Follow traffic signs: They alert you to hazards like sharp turns and pedestrian crosswalks. New digital signs can even give updates if there are treacherous conditions ahead.
Don't speed: It gives you more time to react to hazards and maintain control. Always slow down in snowy and icy conditions so you don't lose traction.
Follow at a safe distance: This lets you stop in time if another driver brakes suddenly. When the winter roads are slippery, you'll need even more stopping distance.
Maintain your vehicle: You don't want to break down in the cold because you forgot to top off your fluids. Perform this winter vehicle maintenance checklist before winter rolls around.
These fundamentals go a long way in preventing accidents, especially on cold winter nights.
2. Never Drive Distracted
Distracted driving is on the rise, with 3,308 people dying from it in 2022. Entering a destination in your navigation app, changing music, and checking texts all take your eyes and attention off the road. Holiday drivers might be even more distracted with everyone thinking about parties and presents.
The good news is that there are many ways to avoid distractions while driving. For example, you can silence your phone, preload your maps or music, and eat before you leave.
3. Don't Drink and Drive
The increase in drinking over the holidays brings an increase in fatal drunk driving crashes. Drunk driving is always a horrific danger, with over 4,750 dying in the month of December from 2018 to 2022.
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. Even if you're not drinking, be on the lookout for those who are. Practice your defensive driving basics to protect yourself and your passengers from the behaviors of other drivers. Never get behind the wheel while under the influence.
4. Watch for Pedestrians
In 2023, 7,318 American pedestrians died after being struck by a vehicle. 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. Wear bright and reflective clothing if you are ever walking or running in the dark. You want every chance for a driver to be able to see you.
5. Use Tech to Stay Safe
Vehicles come loaded with safety features that help protect you, especially at night. Your vehicle may have some of the following features:
Adaptive headlights: These headlights turn as you turn the wheel. They illuminate hidden objects on windy roads better than standard lights.
Auto-dimming mirrors: They help eliminate the blinding lights from other drivers' high beams.
Automatic emergency braking: If a deer jumps out in front of you or a vehicle slams on its brakes, your car will react and help you stop in time.
There are also a few apps you can use to stay safe this holiday season:
Navigation apps: Google Maps and Apple Maps help you navigate to your destination. They'll alert you about hazards on the road ahead and allow you to drive distraction-free.
Weather apps: Accuweather, The Weather Channel, and Weather Underground allow you to check the weather before you head to your destination. Check ahead so you can avoid driving into a storm system and avoid dangerous conditions.
Distracted driving apps: Drivemode Dash, OnMyWay, and I'm Driving are apps that recognize when your car is moving, disable any alerts, and send out auto-responses that you are driving.
Drive Safe at Night This Holiday Season
If you're driving at night this holiday season, take the appropriate precautions. Slow down, remove distractions, never drive drunk, and take advantage of technology. These tips will get you wherever you need to be this winter. Another way to stay safe on the road is by signing up for a defensive driving course at Aceable.com. Our fun and entirely online lessons will teach you new ways to drive safely.
Updated 12/13/2024