Why is nighttime driving riskier?

Nighttime driving is riskier primarily due to reduced visibility and increased fatigue, which can significantly impair a driver’s performance. During the night, there is generally less natural light, making it harder for drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists, road signs, and potential hazards. This limitation in visibility can lead to slower reaction times and difficulty in judging distances.

Additionally, many drivers may experience fatigue at night, particularly if they are used to being awake during the day. Fatigue can reduce alertness, impair judgment, and slow down reflexes, all of which are vital for safe driving. The combination of decreased visibility and the effects of fatigue creates a scenario where the likelihood of accidents increases.

While increased traffic volume may occur at various times, it's not a universal characteristic of nighttime driving since there are typically fewer vehicles on the roads late at night. The use of high beams, while allowed under certain conditions, is not a requirement for all vehicles and can even cause additional glare for other drivers. Road signs being less visible is indeed a concern, yet it is the broader impact of overall reduced visibility combined with driver fatigue that most critically affects safety during nighttime driving.