Time Changes, Shorter Daylight Hours Increase Naples Car Accident Risks

Daylight savings time runs throughout the summer and ends each year in early November. Between setting our clocks back an hour and the sun’s lower position during the winter, daylight begins around 7:00 a.m. and gets dark again as early as 5:00 p.m.

Adjusting to time changes often proves difficult for motorists and increases the risk of car accidents in Naples. Our Naples car accident lawyer explains how night blindness and drowsy driving increase crashes at this time of year.

Night Blindness and Drowsy Driving Common Causes of Car Accidents In Naples

More than 5,000 car crashes in Collier County happen annually, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. They become increasingly common over winter, and night blindness and drowsy driving are among the leading contributing causes.

Many drivers report problems with glare, whether it comes from their dashboard, street lights in the area, or the high beams of other drivers. It is particularly common for people with night blindness, which often happens as we age. Things look blurry at night, it can be hard to see the road, and the lights of an approaching vehicle can leave you almost wholly blinded for long and hazardous seconds afterward.

Night blindness is a problem drivers become accustomed to dealing with throughout the winter months, but it can still come as a shock when the time changes. In addition to being unable to see as clearly after dark, drowsy driving poses serious risks.

While ‘falling back’ an hour in November means getting some extra sleep for many people, the Sleep Foundation warns that any change in time schedules tends to disrupt the body’s natural rhythms. As a result, you are likely to feel even more tired, which can prove dangerous behind the wheel.

How To Reduce Naples Car Accident Risks This Winter

The weeks immediately after a time change tend to be the most dangerous on the road, but car accidents in Naples caused by night blindness and drowsy driving pose risks all winter. To protect yourself and your passengers, our Naples car accident lawyer recommends the following tips:

• If you have problems with night blindness or glare, visit an eye doctor and consider glasses with anti-glare lenses;
• Turn the lights down on your dashboard and avoid looking directly into the headlights of other drivers;
• Plan for errands for daylight hours, when possible;
• If night blindness is a significant problem, consider relying on ride-sharing services;
• Make it a point to get a good night’s sleep;
• Be aware that driving on less than eight hours of sleep has the same impact on your driving abilities as being under the influence.

To Protect Your Rights When A Crash Happens, Contact Our Naples Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents in Naples happen frequently over the winter months. Difficulty seeing at night and drowsy driving are common causes. If you are injured in a crash, contact Cardinal Law, P.A. to protect your rights. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with our Naples car accident lawyer.

Sources:

flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2020.pdf

sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/daylight-saving-time#:~:text=Transitioning%20twice%20a%20year%20between,morning%20and%20sleepy%20at%20night.