No matter what you do tonight, do it safely
As the sun dips down below the horizon, people often associate that setting with a calm scenario where they can go for long evening walks, drives, or strolls. Driving at this time can feel exhilarating, offering a calm, almost serene atmosphere.
The roads seem quieter. Everyone has already rushed to return to their homes and enjoy a peaceful evening and night with their loved ones after a day full of hustle and bustle. However, with the onset of nighttime, visibility declines, and reaction times are reduced. With this, the risk of accidents involving drivers and pedestrians increases.
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, “more pedestrian fatalities from motor vehicles crashes occurred in the dark (78 per cent) than in daylight (19 per cent), dusk (2 per cent), and dawn (2 per cent) in 2022.”
The numbers increase over the years. According to the Government of Canada, “in 2022, the number of motor vehicle fatalities was 1,931; up 6 per cent from 2021 and was the second highest count in the last 10 years.”
The federal, provincial, and territorial governments in Canada continue to improve road safety to reduce the number of these fatalities, making it a safer place for pedestrians and drivers to have a safe road to walk by and drive on.
There are a lot of resources on the internet to understand more about nighttime safety, especially for drivers. One should make the best use of their surrounding resources and not jump into anything they are unprepared for. After all, humans do not come prepared with night vision to be properly equipped to drive at night. Instead, we made headlights and high-visibility shirts to prevent accidents when we do.
Experts have a lot of directions for navigating this. Some of these are detailed here.
According to Saskatchewan Government Insurance, one should not forget to use high-beam headlights while driving on a road not lit by streetlamps or other lighting devices. However, it is recommended that headlights are always on.
Studies show that vehicles that are driven with their lights on are less likely to be involved in a collision of any kind. There are detailed procedures on when to dim headlights and when to keep them on depending on which kind of road one is driving on.
Some procedures include:
Headlights must be dimmed at least 200 m in advance of oncoming vehicles and keep them dim until the vehicle has passed.
When behind another vehicle, one must keep their headlights on low beam until the other vehicle is at least 100 m away.
On a divided highway where the distance between the roadways is 22 m or more, one does not need to dim their headlights.
It is usually recommended that if one goes for a long drive, remember to get in a good night’s sleep to avoid falling asleep while driving or share the drive with someone else. Driving while tired is not advised as it impairs one’s ability to react quickly and make sound judgments on the road, making it more likely for accidents.
Driving on Saskatchewan roads or any wildlife-heavy places involves looking out for wildlife, which is essential. Some animals are more likely to come out at night, so one should keep an eye out for them at the side of the road
Staying alert and being aware of one’s surroundings during nighttime always goes a long way. Driving within the posted limit is better than racing at night.
Even taking breaks when it feels too overwhelming or tiring to drive for too long is better than powering through with no energy, as it could reduce one’s ability to be more alert and aware of their surroundings while on the road. One should also remember to slow down before entering an exit or entrance ramp, as drivers usually misjudge the sharpness of the ramp curve and enter at an excessive speed, leading to rollovers.
It is also recommended by experts from TD Insurance that carrying an emergency kit for any nighttime driving is always a good idea. Must-include items are flashlights and candles that could come in handy to figure out any car troubles at night, especially on those roads with no streetlamps or light resources.
Other items include a first aid kit, blankets, or any source of warmth in case the car breaks down, spare tire and tire repair kits, and duct tape for quick fixes. Check out the Red Cross website to find out what should go into a car or home first aid kid.
It is also advised to have reflective triangles and road flares to make the vehicle more visible to other drivers during a breakdown and should always be placed at the back of the car.
With heavy winters in places like Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta, it is always advised to adjust speed according to weather conditions like rain and snow. Driving too fast in unsafe conditions could lead to hydroplaning, sliding, or crashes by even the most experienced drivers.
According to Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, “the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recommends reducing speed by one-third during rainy weather and one-half for snow.” One should always watch out for their speed while approaching a vehicle already going slower than themselves.
For pedestrians to be more visible to drivers driving at night, they should wear reflective clothing, carry flashlights and cross streets at designated crosswalks. If nighttime walks are done while listening to music, keep one ear free to listen to stay aware of your surroundings. Going out with a friend could make the nighttime walk more enjoyable and provide company and security.
Driving at night requires extra caution and, as always, adherence to traffic laws and safety practices. By following some of the expert advice given by folks with experience, old and new drivers can drive safer on roads, making it safe for pedestrians to walk by and for other drivers to drive on the same road.
