San Jose Car Accident: What To Do

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Decreased Daylight Hours Increases Risk of Auto Accidents in San Jose

The change in seasons means the days are getting shorter. As a result, many of us find ourselves spending more time driving at night. The end of daylight savings time only aggravates the problem. As a result of setting clocks to ‘fall back’ an hour, it starts getting dark around 5:00 p.m., a time when drivers are already dealing with heavy traffic congestion. Combined with common night vision problems, the earlier sunset results in a general increase in San Jose car accidents and injuries.

One More Time Change in San Jose

California residents opted to do away with time changes last November by voting for Proposition 7. However, the law does not go into effect until 2020. As a result, we set our clocks back one last time on November 3, 2019 and will ‘spring forward’ once again on March 8, 2020. This will make the later sunsets associated with daylight savings time permanent, with one of the benefits being reduced car accident risks.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) advises that after dark is the most likely time for car crashes and collisions to occur. Drivers tend to be more tired at night, making them less attentive on the road. There is also a greater chance of running into drunk drivers in the evening. Poor night vision is also a factor and one that impacts many drivers.

The challenges of night driving and the difficulties your eyes have in adjusting have major impacts on your driving skills. Common problems drivers are likely to face include:

  • Being blinded by ‘halos’ and glare from oncoming headlights and street lamps;
  • Poor depth perception, making it more difficult to calculate distances;
  • Peripheral vision disturbances, making it harder to see traffic or obstacles alongside you;
  • General difficulty distinguishing objects and markings on the road.

Reducing Night Driving Risks 

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), even when drivers use high impact headlights or high beams at night, their vision is generally limited to 50 feet in front of them. This decreases your chances of being able to respond to sudden changes in traffic or unexpected road events, increasing car accident risks.

Drivers who suffer from night blindness face even more dangers on the road. While difficulty seeing at night is commonly associated with the ageing process, it can impact drivers of any age. To protect yourself, follow these safety tips:

  • Avoid speeding or going too fast in heavy traffic.
  • Look off to the side a bit rather than directly at traffic signals, street lamps, or other driver’s headlights.
  • Dim your dashboard, which will make it easier for your eyes to adjust.
  • Check with your doctor or ophthalmologist if night vision becomes a major problem.

Injured in a Crash? Contact Our Auto Accident Lawyer in San Jose, CA

At Deldar Legal, we help clients get the compensation they are entitled to when injuries occur.   To discuss your rights in filing a claim, contact our San Jose car accident attornys to request a consultation today.

Posted in: Auto Accidents

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