As the sun dips below the horizon, Athens‘ bustling streets, like Broad Street and Atlanta Highway, transform. Darkness creeps in, bringing new challenges for drivers navigating Georgia’s roads.
The winding paths around Highway 316 and Prince Avenue become trickier to maneuver after sunset. Night driving poses unique risks but knowing what to watch for can keep you safer on your evening travels.
Reduced visibility and its consequences
Darkness makes it harder to see clearly while driving. This poor visibility creates several hazards on the road.
- Depth perception: You might misjudge distances between cars
- Peripheral vision: It’s easier to miss things happening at the edges of your view
- Glare from headlights: Bright lights from oncoming cars can momentarily blind you
- Road signs and markings: These become harder to spot in the dark
To tackle these visibility issues, make sure that your windshield is spotless and that your headlights are correctly oriented. Slow down too – this gives you more time to react to surprises on the road.
Increased fatigue and impaired drivers
Nighttime often brings tiredness and a higher chance of running into impaired drivers.
Fatigue can sneak up on you during late-night drives. Your body naturally wants to sleep when it’s dark, which can make you drowsy behind the wheel. Tiredness slows down your reactions and clouds your judgment.
Unfortunately, you’re also more likely to encounter impaired drivers at night. They might swerve between lanes or drive at odd speeds.
To stay alert, take breaks on long night trips and avoid driving if you’re too tired. Keep an eye out for cars moving strangely – they might have an impaired driver.
Driving at night in Georgia comes with extra risks. But by knowing what to look out for and taking care, you can make your nighttime trips much safer. If you do end up in a nighttime crash, getting legal advice can help protect your rights.