Danger After Dark: California Leads Nation in Nighttime Driving Fatalities, New Study Finds

Driving at night in our state poses a significant risk, with recent analysis revealing that nighttime driving in California is 12 times deadlier than daytime, and more dangerous than driving at night in any other state.

That’s according to a new study by MoneyGeek analyzing the dangers of driving at night. The financial literacy website analyzed data from Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found that driving at night — defined as the period from sunset to sunrise — is nine times deadlier than driving during the day considering the number of fatal accidents relative to traffic volume.

Among other findings:

• Night driving risk is highest for drivers in California and Hawaii; there, nighttime driving is 12 times more deadly than daytime driving. Florida came in third, at 11 times more deadly, followed by Texas and Maryland in the top five.
• Evening commutes become 30% more hazardous from September to November, primarily due to darker lighting conditions and the transition from daylight savings to standard time.
• While just 9% of driving occurs from sunset to sunrise, 49% of fatal accidents occur during this time. In contrast, 83% of driving happens during daylight hours, with 47% of deadly crashes occurring during the day.
• In Arizona, a state that doesn’t observe daylight savings, fatal accidents still rose by 17% from September to November. On the other hand, Florida and Texas experienced an increase in fatal accidents of over 70% during the same period.
• Vermont had the smallest difference in night and day driving fatalities. Nighttime driving there is only 3.7 times more dangerous than daytime driving.

Several factors make night driving hazardous. Some of those factors include:

• Reduced Visibility: The lack of light reduces visibility and gives drivers less time to react to signs, wildlife and pedestrians. The share of fatal accidents in darkness is 37% in October, but that number jumps to 69% in November, according to the study.
• Drowsy Driving: According to NHTSA, drowsy driving accidents happen most between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Drunk Driving: 70% of drunk driving crashes that result in deaths happen at night. Overall, about 1 in 4 fatal crashes during nighttime are related to impaired driving.

For this analysis, MoneyGeek reviewed 93,554 driving fatalities reported by the NHTSA from 2017 to 2021, the most recent year of data available, as well as data from the Bureau of Transportation.

A recent study by the Law Office of Chain | Cohn | Clark found that there was a surge in nighttime pedestrian fatalities in Bakersfield, and nationally. More than 7,300 pedestrians died in America in 2021 (the latest statistics available) with three in four during the hours between sunset and sunrise, according to a research study by New York Times.

In Bakersfield, statistics revealed a troubling picture: Of the 1,316 crashes involving pedestrians that took place in Bakersfield since 2012 through 2023, the times and days with the most pedestrian accidents were as follows:

• Monday: 6pm to 8pm
• Tuesday: 3pm to 6pm
• Wednesday: 6pm to 8pm
• Thursday: 6pm to 8pm
• Friday: 6pm to 8pm
• Saturday: 6pm to 8pm
• Sunday: 6pm to 8pm

As we’ve learned, nighttime driving involves significantly more risk than daytime driving. While you can’t account for all of these potential hazards, there are a variety of tactics you can use to stay safe on the road at night.

• Speed: The slower you are going, the more time you have to react. While it’s important that you don’t drive below the speed limit, driving at the speed limit can help you offset some of the visibility issues present at night. Also, keep your distance from the car in front of you and be a defensive driver.
• Lights: Make sure your headlights and taillights are working. This will help you see better and help other drivers see you. Also, don’t look directly at another driver’s headlights. This will hopefully help you avoid being temporarily blinded and unable to see the road clearly. Lastly, make sure your cabin lights are dimmed appropriately at night to preserve your night vision.
• Alert: The best way to do this is to plan your trip to ensure you’re not driving while tired. If you’re feeling drowsy, find a way to stop and rest to recharge so you can remain alert on the road. And remember, never drive while impaired. Finally, don’t be distracted. Stay off your phone while on the road and keep your full attention to what’s in front of you.

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If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000, or fill out a free consultation form, text, or chat with us at chainlaw.com.