How to Drive Safely at Dusk and Dawn

The two trickiest times to drive for many people are dusk and dawn. As the sun rises, the bright rays of the morning sun are blinding. As the sun sets, the fading rays can glare on any shiny objects while the lessening light conditions cause poor visibility. Here are tips for preventing car accidents and driving safely in dusk and dawn:

Keep Sunglasses Handy

Since many of the driving challenges of dusk and dawn are caused by the glaring light of the sun, keeping a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle can help. You need sunglasses that are dark enough to defer the sunlight, but not so dark that they make it harder to see in fading light conditions.

Prepare for Deer Crossing

Depending on where you drive, dusk is frequently the time of day when deer wander into the roads. You will want to reduce your speed when driving through areas where wildlife may cross in front of you, because it will be difficult to see them until you are almost on top of them. Experts calculate you need one second per ten miles per hour driven to stop - so if driving 60 miles per hour, you need six seconds to stop.

Consider Different Routes or Time for Travel

If your daily commute has you driving to and from work during the rising or setting sun, you may consider changing the time of day you travel to improve visibility during your commute. If this he isn't possible, try different roads - if you can travel so the sun is not directly in front of you for the bulk of your journey, you may make the trip more enjoyable since the sun rays will be less blinding if they are mostly off to the side or behind you when you're driving.

These are just a handful of driving safety tips. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact a New York car accident attorney for a free consultation.


Lever & Stolzenberg, LLP is located in White Plains, New York and serves clients throughout the state, including New York City's five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island) as well as Westchester County, Rockland County and Long Island. 

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