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Fatal crash highlights need for safer night time driving

by Cindy Cummings, Content Partner • November 15, 2021

Two women were killed in a fatal crash in Lancaster on the weekend of October 16. The crash, which only involved one vehicle, took place in the early hours of the morning at Sierra Highway and Avenue l. It is believed that the car was speeding at the time of the accident. The women died after their SUV rolled and hit a pole next to the side of the road. Fatal motor vehicle accidents are three times more likely to take place at night than during the day according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority (NHTSA). Practicing safe driving at all times can reduce the risk of accidents such as these tremendously.

There’s No Need to Speed

Car crashes involving speed, such as the Lancaster accident, account for almost 37% of all fatalities relating to nighttime driving. When driving at a high speed at night visibility and reaction times are both decreased considerably. Even with your headlights on and driving on a quiet, straight road, the risk of an accident increases drastically. When bad weather, a curving road, or animals crossing the road are thrown into the mix, you are left with a sure recipe for disaster. Speed limits were created for a reason and need to be adhered to at all times.

Driving When Fatigued Can Be Deadly

The accident in Lancaster took place at approximately 1:50 a.m. – a time when most people are asleep. The time of the accident falls in the period identified by the NHTSA as the one that most drowsiness-related accidents take place: between midnight and 6 a.m. As driving drowsy is a choice, it is relatively easy to avoid. Do not get behind the steering wheel when tired and take regular breaks when driving long distances to prevent fatigue from setting in. Even if a car crash caused by drowsy driving is not fatal, it can have far-reaching health and legal implications. The legal team at Johnson Garcia will attest to the fact that personal injury cases stemming from road accidents can, apart from potential criminal charges, result in huge financial losses for the responsible party.

Aim for a Clear View

While it cannot be determined whether a dirty windscreen contributed to the fatal Lancaster crash, the NHTSA states that windscreens that are dirty or damaged can increase glare immensely. A windscreen does not even have to be extremely dirty in order for it to impair your vision. Even just a seemingly minute smudge or smear can distort the light from street lamps or other vehicles, impairing the driver’s vision and resulting in a serious accident. Both the inside and outside of the windscreen should be cleaned at regular intervals to ensure that the driver’s view of the road is as clear as possible.

Adhering to the rules of the road can’t always guarantee that you will reach your destination safely. It can, however, help increase your chances of doing so greatly.

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Filed Under: Opinion II

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