Fall Night Driving Dangers

A little extra caution can go a long way while driving at night!

 

Summer has ended, and while fall and winter have their own pleasures — including apple and pumpkin picking, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling here in New Hampshire — longer nights mean increased danger on the roads.

You might think you drive just as well at night, but consider this: even though nighttime driving accounts for just 23 percent of vehicle miles traveled, more than 50 percent of fatalities for vehicle occupants 16 and older occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the National Safety Commission (NSC).

 

Because we’re big advocates for safety at Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency, we thought it would be helpful to take a look at why night driving is more dangerous, and what you can do to decrease that danger.

What’s dangerous about night driving?

1. Decreased vision. We won’t go into all the biological details, but different parts of the eye (such as the iris, pupil and retina) work differently at night. Your peripheral vision is actually slightly improved, but it’s more difficult to focus on objects ahead of you. And traveling between well-lit areas and darker roads creates issues as well.
2. Driving too fast for your headlights. Depending on vehicle speed and headlight setting, many people “over-drive” their headlights. That means, by the time they see something on the road, it’s too late to stop in time to avoid it.
3. Impaired judgment. Whether due to drowsiness or the use of alcohol or drugs, it appears that drivers at night often don’t use good judgment. According to the NSC, 66 percent of fatalities at night involve vehicle occupants who weren’t wearing seat belts.   

So what do you do?

Sometimes, there’s no way around driving at night, so keep the following tips in mind to make sure your trip remains safe, whether you’re just running to the store, or you’re headed out of town: 

1. Make sure your vehicle’s lights are in good working condition. And not just headlights, but also turn signals, taillights, etc.
2. Avoid speeding. Leave a bigger cushion between you and other cars than you would during daylight hours. Leave yourself more time for the trip.
3. Be more aware of your surroundings. You shouldn’t be using your phone, messing around with the radio or trying to find something on the floor while you’re on the road at any time of day — but distractions are even more deadly at night.

Of course, if you’re not comfortable driving at night, the best thing is to avoid it altogether if possible. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a ride from a trusted safe driver or waiting for the sun to come out.

Be Sure You’ve Secured Adequate Coverage - Contact Us Today!

 

A crucial component of safety on the road is ensuring that you have adequate auto insurance coverage. At Hunkins & Eaton in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, our independent insurance agents will work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time applying all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 800-427-3975 or click here to get a free quote for auto insurance in Littleton, NH, Lisbon, or the surrounding New Hampshire communities.  We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!

 

For additional insurance information, safety tips, and other useful resources, please read our other blog posts and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter  and Google+.

Content provided by Safeco Insurance

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Avoiding distractions while driving could save your life

You’ve seen them on the roads, you might know a few of them, and you could even be one yourself. Distracted drivers in come in all shapes, sizes, ages and experience levels. Even if you’re not one today, you could become one at any moment — in the time it takes you to answer your cell phone or check the kids in the back seat.

The National Safety Council has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, or the perfect time to reassess your habits behind the wheel and make improvements that could make the road a safer place for everyone. If you or someone else you know thinks you can drive just fine while talking on your phone, consider this statistic: more than 450,000 people were injured in crashes that reportedly involved distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among those people, more than 5,000 died.

Distractions on the road come in many forms, according to www.distraction.gov, a U.S. Department of Transportation website. The three main types of driving distractions are:

Visual – taking your eyes off the road

Manual –taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing

Use the following tips to help avoid all three of these kinds of distracting behind-the-wheel behaviors:

·         Put your phone in silent mode and store it away from the front seat or in a purse or bag to help reduce temptation.

·         If you have a passenger in your vehicle, ask him/her to answer your phone or return text messages for you.

·         If a call or a text can’t wait, pull over in a safe spot before using your phone.

·         Although it may seem obvious, finish shaving, eating, and/or applying makeup before you get in the car!

·         If you’re emotional, wait until you’ve calmed down before hitting the road.

·         Avoid road rage. You’ll be happier and safer.

Although you may feel like you can handle it in the moment, it’s never the right time to multi-task when you’re on the road. Focusing solely on your responsibilities as a driver will help you ensure that you arrive at your destination safely.

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency  in Littleton, NH, and Lisbon, NH, your safety is our priority. For additional safety tips and other useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.