How the Time Of the Day Affects Drivers and Crashes

In the world we live in today, driving is an unavoidable necessity. The vast majority of American workers still drive themselves to work, even if the number of eligible drivers who have their license has decreased in recent years.

Many activities – whether for work or enjoyment in our personal lives – still require that we drive to them. Even those using public transportation still find themselves in a vehicle on a regular basis.

At J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, we know that in any given city, whether in Rio Grande City, McAllen, Brownsville, or any other area throughout the nation, the traffic conditions change continuously on any given day. But not all parts of the day are created equal when it comes to planning your route and different challenges can arise depending on the time of day we find ourselves out on the road.

It’s important to recognize that certain times of the day are just flat-out more dangerous for drivers and your faithful auto accident attorneys at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys want to make sure you are informed and aware so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

Not All Hours of the Day are a Hazard

Fortunately, there are times during the day when you can feel more at ease on the road, even if they are not the most particularly enjoyable times. The actually happens to be at 8 a.m., which oddly enough, is also one of the busiest.

Even with a high number of drivers usually out in the early mornings, there are still a number of reasons why this time of the day is one of the safest for commuters. To begin with, the sun has typically already risen by this point in the morning, providing drivers with a better field of vision. Secondly, drivers usually aren’t driving as fast to get to work as they are when headed home.

Afternoon Rush Hour is Not as Forgiving

The morning traffic jam might serve to keep you safe but don’t expect the same security on your drive home from work. The afternoon block, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., is more dangerous mostly because of the rush to get home.

This eagerness can lead many drivers to take risks in order to cut the time it takes to get their after-work destination. During winter, the added factor of an early sunset and/or reduced daylight compounds the risks for everyone on the road.

Regardless of how many times you have driven home on a particular route, it is never a good idea to let your focus slip. Keep an eye out for drivers making risky lane changes and other dangerous maneuvers, and keep your eyes off your phone and other electronic devices – even the radio.

Night is the Most Dangerous

The most obvious thing that makes driving at night more dangerous than the rest of the day is the lack of lighting on the streets as we drive. Compounded with deficiencies in vision, and the fatigue that many people may experience after a long day at work, the dim conditions require that we drive with extra attention and awareness.

A study by the National Sleep Foundation showed that 37% of people interviewed admitted to falling asleep while driving. Nearly 1 out of every 7 of these drivers had it happen at least once a month. Whether the cause is because of the shift they work or sleeping difficulties, these numbers are surprisingly (and dangerously) high and not likely to change in the near future.

Of all night hours, the hours from midnight to 4 a.m. are by far the most dangerous. This is because the number of impaired drivers is most high at this time, as most establishments that offer alcoholic beverages close at 2 a.m.

Even though drunk driving has fallen by over 30% in the last ten years, the incidences of drivers under the influence of another drug have risen. In particular, there has been a spike in prevalence among drivers who had used marijuana in that same time period. Perhaps most troubling is that many states are lagging behind in passing legislative reforms to deal with this change.

Regardless of what time of the day or night you are driving, J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys wants you to remain diligent and safe on the road.  

Whenever we find ourselves on the road, it is our responsibility to drive safely to protect not only ourselves and the passengers we have with us, but all the other drivers who share the road with us. There is never an acceptable moment to take time off from public safety.

Even with the best information and awareness, however, people will still go out and operate a vehicle recklessly. When they injure others, the J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys is here to get the victims of those accidents the compensation and justice they deserve.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash, contact us today at (956) 630-6700. Our team of auto accident lawyers in Rio Grande City, McAllen, and Brownsville have the experience needed to get your life back on track after an accident.