Most of us drive through Redondo Beach without a second thought. Being behind the wheel feels routine, whether it’s your morning commute, a quick trip to the store, or a late-night drive. But have you ever stopped to wonder when driving is the most dangerous?
Is it during rush hour, at night, or those sleepy early morning hours?
Knowing the riskiest driving times can help you make smarter decisions, avoid car accidents, and protect yourself and others on the road. Here are the most dangerous times of day to drive.
What Time Should You Avoid?
Most of us dread rush hour, and there is a good reason. The rush is usually from 7 to 9 a.m. and between 4 and 7 p.m. During this time, the roads are packed full of drivers trying to get somewhere at the same time. This is a stressful time, and that stress can lead to mistakes. According to the National Safety Council, most fatal crashes occur between 4 and 8 p.m.
Why is rush hour so dangerous? There are just a lot of cars. With so many vehicles close together, stop-and-go traffic, and drivers who might be distracted by phones or running late, the chances for fender benders and accidents significantly increase.
Plus, people get impatient. When that happens, they change lanes without signaling or even get a bit of road rage. Suddenly, what should be a 20-minute drive feels like a game of chance.
What About Other Times of Day?
You might think that driving late at night or early in the morning would be safer because there are fewer cars. But that is not the case, and these hours can be downright dangerous.
Between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., the risk of fatal crashes spikes. In these situations, fatigue is a huge factor.
Our bodies naturally want to rest during the night and early morning. That makes driving while sleepy almost as dangerous as driving drunk. Fatigue slows your brain and makes you less alert. Plus, it can cause you to nod off without realizing it.
Don’t forget about impaired drivers. These negligent drivers had a bit too much to drink or maybe used drugs. During the nighttime hours, they could hit the road while swerving in and out of the lanes.
Late nights, especially on weekends, are notorious for drunk or impaired drivers. This makes those hours risky. Plus, darkness makes it harder to see hazards and the roads, especially in rural areas. Rain, or fog, can turn a usually safe drive into a nightmare.
When you add bad weather, darkness, or traffic, you must be on your toes to avoid an accident.
Early morning hours between 4 and 6 a.m. are also hazardous. You could be dealing with groggy drivers just waking up or finishing a night shift. Combine that with the possibility of fog coming off the ocean, or wet roads, and it is a recipe for trouble on the road. Crashes during these hours often involve running off the road or hitting something fixed, like a tree or guardrail.
How to Drive Safer
Now that you know the most dangerous times to drive, you can take steps to stay safe on the road.
- Don’t drive tired: If you are sleepy, find a safe place to rest. Spending a few minutes or hours of downtime is worth avoiding a crash.
- Be extra cautious during dawn and dusk: You will want to keep your windshield clean, wear sunglasses, and slow down if the sun is glaring.
- Avoid driving late at night if possible: This is true on weekends or after social events, when impaired drivers are more common.
- Stay patient and calm during rush hour: Aggression only makes things worse. Keep your distance and take your time.
- Use your headlights: Always turn on your lights from dusk to dawn, and in bad weather. You always want to stay visible to others.
- Put distractions away: This includes all phones, eating, or fiddling with music. You need to save it for when you’re parked.
Stay Safe on the Road
The most dangerous driving times are usually in the evenings and late at night. Fatigue, impaired drivers, and poor visibility are all possibilities during this time.
However, even with all the precautions, accidents can still happen. If you or a loved one is involved in a car crash in Redondo Beach, you need to know your rights and get the support you need.
Reach out to Frost Law Firm. We can guide you through the next steps to start a claim against those who may have been responsible for your crash.
