Teenage drivers have an above-average risk of crashing while driving. It is no surprise when you consider they are the age group that has had the least practice at the wheel.
Everyone makes mistakes when they are new to something. Yet driving errors can have much more severe consequences.
Think back to the last time you began a new job. Did your boss throw you straight in at the deep end? Or did they offer you support until you got the hang of it and they could trust you to avoid mistakes that would cost the company money?
Yet many new drivers think that passing their tests means they can drive safely in all situations straight off the bat?
Night driving is much riskier than daytime driving
Mainly it is about the light or rather the lack of it. The darker it becomes, the harder it is to see things you need to avoid. Here are two other things that can play a factor:
- Tiredness: Our bodies get sleepier as the night draws on, making staying awake and focusing on the road more difficult.
- Alcohol or drugs: If a teen is driving at night, there is a fair chance they are heading to a party or meeting friends, which may involve alcohol or drugs.
Pennsylvania restricts those on the learner and junior permits, only allowing them to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in specific circumstances. Yet night falls much earlier than 11 p.m.
If a teenager injures you at night, check if they were legally allowed to be on the road. Even if they were, understanding the dangers night can bring may help you pinpoint what they did wrong to cause the crash. Showing why a crash happened will be crucial to getting full compensation.