When the sun goes down, your car crash risk goes up sharply. Several factors combine to make nighttime driving far more dangerous than daytime travel.

Understanding why nights are so dangerous can help you make safer choices behind the wheel.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a collision during these high-risk nighttime hours, you’re not alone. A Louisiana car accident lawyer from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers can help you understand your rights, investigate what caused the crash, and recover the full compensation you deserve.

Why Nights Are So Dangerous

The National Safety Council notes that although we do only about a quarter of our driving after dark, roughly 50% of traffic deaths happen at night.

And in 2023, federal crash data recorded 22,114 nighttime traffic fatalities (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.), compared with 18,495 in daytime hours.

Louisiana is no exception. A recent analysis of federal data ranked the state among the worst for nighttime crashes, estimating that around 56% of Louisiana crashes occur after dark.

Some of the main reasons crashes happen more often after dark include:

  • Reduced Visibility: Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision all decline at night. Glare from oncoming headlights and poorly lit roadways make it harder to spot pedestrians, cyclists, animals, stalled vehicles, and debris on the road in time to react. That loss in visibility helps explain why a majority of pedestrian fatalities occur in darkness nationwide.
  • More Impaired Drivers. Alcohol-involved crashes cluster disproportionately at night and on weekends. Federal data consistently shows alcohol impairment is involved in about 30% of U.S. traffic deaths, with a large share of those fatalities occurring during nighttime hours.
  • Drowsy Driving: Fatigue naturally builds late in the day. NHTSA has estimated tens of thousands of police-reported crashes annually involve drowsy drivers; researchers believe the actual number may be even higher because fatigue is hard to confirm after a crash.
  • Higher Speeds With Lighter Traffic: With fewer cars on the road, drivers are more likely to speed. Speeding increases the chance of a crash and worsens injury severity by multiplying the energy of impact. Speeding remains a major threat on Louisiana roads, contributing to 240 of the state’s 811 traffic fatalities in 2023.
  • Weather and Unusual Hazards. Nighttime fog, sudden downpours, and smoke can combine into super fog and other low-visibility events, which have contributed to catastrophic pileups in Louisiana.

While you can’t control what other drivers do or the weather, you can improve your own visibility, alertness, and preparation.

Smart Ways to Lower Your Nighttime Risk

Night driving doesn’t have to be dangerous if you know what to watch for. Try these tips to reduce your risk of a crash:

  • Use More Light Wisely: Clean your windshield (inside and out) and headlight lenses. Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic and you’re not following another vehicle closely. Slow down on poorly lit rural roads; even with high beams, overdriving your headlights leaves you no time to stop.
  • Mind Your Speed and Space: Increase following distance to at least four seconds at night. If visibility shrinks (rain, fog, smoke), double that. Speed limits are not targets; set your speed to what you can safely see and react to.
  • Fight Fatigue: Plan breaks every 90–120 minutes on the road. If you feel your eyes drifting or you miss an exit, pull over in a safe, well-lit area. A 15–20 minute nap and a short walk can restore alertness far better than pushing through.
  • Plan for Impairment on the Road: Weekends and late evenings carry higher odds that you’ll encounter impaired drivers. Stay extra cautious near bars, entertainment districts, and around closing times. If a vehicle weaves, drifts, or brakes erratically, give it space and call it in if it’s safe to do so.
  • Make Yourself Visible: If you must stop for a flat or breakdown, get as far off the roadway as possible, turn on hazard lights, and use reflective triangles or flares. Pedestrians and cyclists should wear reflective gear and use lights; motorists should watch for them at unlit intersections and crossings.
  • Rely on Tech, But Stay Alert: Modern vehicles’ driver-assist features (automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring) help most at night when you’re more likely to miss cues. Keep these systems on and calibrated, but never rely on them in place of attentive driving.
  • Know When Not to Drive: If you’re drowsy, have been drinking, or are taking sedating medications, don’t get behind the wheel. Plan a ride, call a friend, or wait until morning.

Hurt in a Crash After Dark? Call Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers

Nighttime collisions often involve speeding, impairment, or failure to yield; behaviors that point to negligence. If you were injured because another driver made a dangerous choice, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Our team at Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers knows Louisiana roads and the law. Call us to speak with a Louisiana car accident lawyer who will investigate, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the full recovery you deserve. We’re here 24/7. One call gets you the help you need.

Disclaimer: This content has been reviewed by Chad Lederman, Director of Legal Operations at our New Orleans office.