Pedestrian accidents and fatalities spike dramatically after dark in Tennessee. Walking at night poses unique risks that all pedestrians should be aware of. Understanding the dangers and taking proper precautions can help reduce the risk of being involved in an accident as a nighttime pedestrian.
Reduced Visibility at Night
The most obvious danger of walking at night in Tennessee is reduced visibility. With less light, drivers have a much harder time seeing pedestrians along roadways or crossing streets. Pedestrians also have more difficulty seeing oncoming traffic and hazards in their path. This mutual reduction in visibility is a recipe for accidents.
According to safety research, pedestrian fatalities occur 3 times more often at night compared to daytime. Over 65% of pedestrian deaths happen during low-light conditions. Dusk, dawn and dark streets are the most hazardous times for pedestrians. Reduced visibility plays a major role in these troubling statistics.
Factors Hampering Driver Visibility
There are several factors that can further hamper driver visibility at night:
- Poor headlights – Older vehicles often have dimmer headlights that illuminate a smaller area. Even modern lights can be misaligned and fail to properly light the road and sidewalks.
- Dirty headlights – Built up dirt, oxidation and clouding can drastically reduce headlight output. Clean headlights can improve illumination by up to 50%.
- High beams – Drivers often use high beams on dark roads which can blind oncoming pedestrians.
- Rain – Wet roads cause more light glare, reducing visibility.
- Curves & hills – Road contours block illumination around corners and over rises.
- Parked cars – Parked vehicles along the road obstruct headlight beams.
- Bright lights – Headlights from oncoming traffic can momentarily blind drivers. Even street lights and commercial signs can hamper adjusting eyes.
These factors mean drivers have smaller lit areas of focus. Pedestrians outside this cone of light are almost invisible.
Pedestrian Factors Impairing Visibility
Pedestrians also contribute to their own lack of visibility at night:
- Dark clothing – Wearing dark pants, jackets and shoes makes pedestrians much harder to spot at night. Black clothing renders people almost invisible.
- No reflectors – Most runners and walkers lack reflective strips or materials to reflect light back towards drivers.
- No lights – Very few pedestrians use flashlights or body lights to help drivers see them better in dark conditions.
- Distractions – Pedestrians talking, texting or wearing headphones are often less alert to traffic around them.
By wearing light colors, reflective materials and lights, Tennessee pedestrians can help counteract these factors and improve their visibility to drivers at night.
Dangerous Driving Behaviors
In addition to visibility issues, driver behavior worsens at night in ways that endanger pedestrians:
- Speeding – With less traffic and distractions, Tennessee drivers are more apt to speed through darkened areas. Higher speeds give both drivers and pedestrians less reaction time.
- Alcohol impairment – Impaired drivers are more common at night according to research. Drunk drivers have delayed reactions and diminished control.
- Fatigue – Night driving coincides with driver drowsiness. Fatigued drivers can be less vigilant to pedestrians on or near the road.
- Risk taking – Some drivers engage in reckless behaviors like speeding, tailgating and rapid acceleration under cover of darkness.
These dangerous driving habits, especially when combined with compromised visibility, put pedestrians at much higher risk of accidents and injuries.
Insufficient Roadway Lighting
Inadequate lighting on roadways, sidewalks and crosswalks contributes to nighttime pedestrian risk. Generally, higher lighting levels increase pedestrian visibility and safety. Unfortunately, many streets have poor or uneven lighting that leaves pedestrians in the shadows.
Rural roads and older neighborhoods in Tennessee present some of the worst lighting scenarios. New LED street lighting can improve visibility dramatically while reducing energy usage. But upgrades can’t come fast enough as pedestrian deaths rise. Simply avoiding poorly lit areas is one of the best ways pedestrians can protect themselves at night.
More Nighttime Pedestrian Activity
Ironically, more people are walking for transportation and exercise at night than ever before. Evening dog walking, nighttime running and late night errands mean extra pedestrian activity after dark. Higher numbers of pedestrians on roadways and sidewalks at night increases overall risk exposure.
People are also more likely to use alcohol or drugs in the evening hours. Impaired pedestrians make riskier judgement calls and have slower reaction times around traffic. Yet many still walk home or to social destinations at night.
Safety Tips for Nighttime Walking
Despite the ominous pedestrian statistics for nighttime hours, people can take actions to reduce their risk:
- Wear reflective and light colored clothing – Don reflective strips, vests or bands at a minimum. White or light jackets and hats also help. Avoid black clothing at night.
- Carry a flashlight and use lights – Flashlights and clip on body lights greatly improve visibility of walkers at night.
- Avoid distracted behaviors – Don’t use phones or wear headphones while walking in the dark. Stay alert.
- Choose routes with sidewalks and streetlights – Avoid walking along dark, winding or high speed roads at night. Pick well-lit paths.
- Cross at intersections – Use crosswalks and intersection lights rather than jaywalking across dangerous roads or blind corners.
- Walk facing traffic – Keeping traffic in front allows pedestrians to see oncoming lights and take evasive action if needed.
- Avoid impairment – Don’t walk at night when drunk or impaired. Vision, judgement and reactions are diminished.
While walking after dark is unavoidable at times, following these tips can help pedestrians reduce their exposure to risk. Taking proper precautions is key to avoiding becoming another tragic nighttime pedestrian statistic.
Talk to a Tennessee Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you are injured as a pedestrian in an accident caused by poor visibility, reckless driving, or other negligence, make sure to consult a personal injury attorney. An experienced personal injury lawyer from Monge & Associates can help you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering resulting from the accident. We understand the legal process, evidence rules, and strategy to build the strongest case possible. A qualified personal injury attorney levels the playing field against insurance companies and holds all negligent parties fully accountable. Don’t jeopardize your rights by trying to handle a pedestrian injury claim yourself.
We have offices in 32 locations and 19 states, including Tennessee, Kansas, and Colorado.
Call now for a free consultation on (888) 477-0597.