There is no shortage of reports and studies that document a yearly increase in motor vehicle accidents during the evening hours after the autumnal transition to standard time from daylight saving time. While the early onset of twilight and a shift in the position of the setting sun create visual difficulties for both Virginia pedestrians and drivers, another significant contributing factor to the heightened risk of accidents is that drivers are not thinking about pedestrian safety.
With the time change drawing near, bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and others on the roadway need to be aware of the increased danger and take greater precautions to avoid accidents, especially at dusk.
The Virginia personal injury lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp offer potential clients a free evaluation of their pedestrian accident claim. Reach out to our Hampton law offices today if you want to speak with an experienced attorney about pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Why Does the End of Daylight Savings Time Increase Accident Risk?
It is much harder to navigate sidewalks and roadways in the dark than during the daytime. Poorly lit streets turn pitch black. Streetlights reflect off the pavement. Bicycle riders, pedestrians, and those on smaller forms of transportation, such as mopeds, are much more difficult to see when it is dark outside. Drivers are also at an increased risk of drowsiness and fatigue. In spite of this, most motorists do not alter the way they drive and instead become a potential threat to everyone around them.
Even though clocks go back and give everyone the chance for an extra hour of sleep, the transition from driving in sunlight to navigating roadways in the dark actually causes a spike in driver fatigue and drowsiness, which causes more accidents. Combine that with a driver’s restricted visibility and it is not surprising to learn that when daylight savings time ends, the number of motor vehicle accidents, especially those involving pedestrians, increases.
What Can Drivers Do to Keep Virginia Pedestrians Safe?
For drivers, being aware of the heightened need to pay attention to your surroundings during the early evening is an essential step to preventing serious accidents. In order to avoid an accident with a bicyclist, pedestrian, or even another car, there are some basic safety precautions you can take, such as:
- Making sure that your headlights are on
- Leaving a little earlier than necessary to avoid speeding
- Obeying all signs, signals, and speed limits
- Maintaining a safe following distance
- Taking extra care around crosswalks and intersections
- Being aware of any signs of drowsiness or fatigue and taking prompt action when you notice them
- Not allowing yourself to be distracted by anything inside your vehicle, such as food, passengers, or your phone
Drivers who take even a few small precautions have a better chance of preventing accidents that often occur when driving at night. Taking due care to avoid potentially dangerous situations is essential for everyone’s safety.
How Can Pedestrians Avoid Accidents After Dark?
It doesn’t matter if you are jogging, cycling, or walking, getting around in the evening after daylight savings time ends demands additional safety measures. Knowing that drivers will have a harder time seeing you is helpful, but it is not enough to ensure your safety. Exercise common sense, good judgment, and take extra precautions, including:
- Wearing bright colors or reflective clothing
- Only crossing the street inside of marked crosswalks
- Obeying all signs and traffic lights at intersections
- Looking both ways before crossing the street
- Never assuming a driver will yield the right of way
- Not wearing headphones or earbuds that block out surrounding sounds
- Ensuring that bicycles, scooters, and other smaller forms of transportation are equipped with working lights and reflectors
- Walking or riding against the flow of traffic if no sidewalk is available
- Never assuming that a driver has noticed you, is going to obey the law or is concerned about your safety
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers
Pedestrian accidents can be serious and even deadly. If you or a loved one were injured in a Virginia pedestrian accident caused by another person’s negligence, you deserve compassionate, reliable legal representation from an experienced attorney who can make sure you are fairly compensated.
At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our Virginia pedestrian accident lawyers are among the top-rated personal injury lawyers in Virginia. We have grown our reputation and our credibility through confidence, commitment, and dedicated legal representation. Schedule a free Virginia pedestrian accident consultation by calling our Hampton law offices at (833) 997-1774 or via the contact form on our site.