Dealing With Night Blindness? Follow These Safe Driving Tips From Our Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyer
The decrease in daylight hours during the winter and ‘falling back’ from Daylight Saving Time means many local drivers are now commuting to and from work in total darkness. This makes it harder to see, particularly if you have night blindness.
Night blindness is a common condition that increases the risk of car accidents in Harrisburg over the winter months. To protect yourself, your passengers, and others on the road, find out more about the problem and follow safety tips from our Harrisburg car accident lawyer.
Night Blindness Increases Harrisburg Car Accident Risks During The Winter Months
After turning our clocks back an hour in early November, daylight begins to fade as early as 5:00 p.m. With sunrise as late as 7:30 a.m., you likely spend much of your time commuting, running errands with your children, or engaging in social activities after dark.
There are always challenges when driving at night. However, if you suffer from night blindness, the impacts on your driving abilities can be more severe and increase your risks of car accidents in Harrisburg.
According to the National Institutes of Health, night blindness is one of the most common types of vision disturbances. It can happen due to genetic reasons, injuries, or simply because of getting older. While driving at night poses challenges for any driver, people with night blindness typically suffer more severe symptoms. These include:
- Having difficulty seeing pedestrians, bicyclists, or drivers on the road;
- Being unable to see and stay between lanes;
- Being unable to determine which way red lights and other traffic signals are facing;
- Increased glare due to dashboard lights and street lamps;
- Being completely blinded by another driver’s headlights.
Safety Tips For People With Night Blindness To Prevent Car Accidents In Harrisburg
Shorter daylight hours require taking additional precautions on the road, particularly if you are among the many people who suffer from night blindness. The National Safety Council advises reducing the number of trips you take after dark and the speed at which you travel. Other tips that can help reduce car accident injuries in Harrisburg when you have night blindness include:
- Get your eyes checked yearly and update prescription glasses as needed;
- Speak to your doctor about possible treatments for night blindness and any supplements you should be taking;
- If you have to drive at night, stick to familiar routes;
- Turn down your dashboard lights, and avoid looking directly into another driver’s head or tail lights;
- Ensure your windshield is clear and smudge-free inside and out, which makes it easier to see at night.
Our Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyer Protects Your Rights In A Claim
Car accidents in Harrisburg are more likely after dark and night blindness is a common contributing factor in many crashes. If you are injured, contact Ira H. Weinstock, P.C. We protect your rights, providing the experienced, professional legal representation you need in filing a claim. Reach out to request a consultation with our Harrisburg car accident lawyer today.
Sources:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545246/
nsc.org/road/safety-topics/driving-at-night?srsltid=AfmBOooxGWmK3wMR2Gwl4lLUt7jVMEKipqZE32sAHdXltkSszO8Cw5Nh
