Are Auto Accidents More Likely to Happen at Night?

 Posted on January 28, 2026 in Personal Injury

Some people love night driving. For others, the reduced visibility makes night driving a stressful and frightening experience. These feelings are justified: statistics show nighttime driving really is much more dangerous.

Understanding why nighttime accidents happen more often can help you stay safer on the road. If you are injured in a nighttime car accident in 2026, a DuPage County auto accident attorney can help you understand your legal options.

What Are the Stats for Nighttime Auto Accidents?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, half of fatal car crashes happen at night, even though only about 25 percent of all driving happens after dark. This statistic shows that night driving is substantially more dangerous than driving during the day.

The risk increases even more on weekends. Friday and Saturday nights have the highest rates of fatal accidents, especially between midnight and 3:00 a.m. During these hours, worse visibility, driver fatigue, and increased likelihood of impaired drivers make driving especially dangerous.

Why Are Nighttime Car Accidents More Common?

Several factors contribute to the increased danger of nighttime driving.

Reduced Visibility

The most obvious challenge is low visibility. Even with headlights, drivers can typically see only about 250 feet ahead at night with low beams and 350 to 400 feet with high beams. This is significantly less than daytime sight distance. Pedestrians, cyclists, animals, and road hazards become much harder to spot in time to react safely. If drivers are older, they are more likely to have worse night vision, and their slower reaction time makes this extra dangerous.

Driver Fatigue

Not all of the risks of night driving are from bad visibility. Many nighttime accidents involve drowsy driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, driving while drowsy impairs judgment, reaction time, and attention, similar to being drunk. The human body naturally experiences decreased alertness during nighttime hours, especially between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Impaired Drivers

Nighttime hours, especially on weekends, see higher rates of drunk and drugged driving. Under Illinois law 625 ILCS 5/11-501, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. Despite this law, many drivers make the dangerous choice to drive while impaired.

The Risks of Rush Hour vs Late Night Driving

While evening rush hour (from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) has more total accidents, late-night accidents are more likely to be fatal. Empty roads encourage speeding and reckless driving. Wildlife big enough to wreck a car are more likely to be in roadways at night, especially in rural areas. 

The lack of other vehicles also means potentially longer emergency response times. All of these, combined with driver fatigue and the higher likelihood that drivers are not sober, make nighttime accidents much worse than rush hour accidents.

What Can You Do to Stay Safer During Nighttime Driving?

You can take several practical steps to reduce your risk when driving at night:

• Make sure your headlights are clean and properly aimed. Dirty or misaligned headlights reduce visibility a lot.

• Reduce your speed. You cannot see as far ahead at night. Slowing down gives you more time to react.

• Increase your following distance. Give yourself extra space between your vehicle and the car ahead.

• Take breaks on long drives. If you feel drowsy, pull over in a safe location and rest.

• Avoid distractions. Put your phone away and keep the radio at a reasonable volume. Nighttime driving needs your full attention.

• Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. People walking or biking at night are harder to see. Be extra cautious in residential areas and near bars and restaurants.

Call a Bloomingdale, IL Car Accident Attorney Today

If you have been injured in a nighttime car accident, it is important to understand why nighttime driving is more dangerous and what kind of compensation you may get because of it. At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we offer free case evaluations and have three offices for your convenience in Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville. We also provide Saturday and evening appointments to work with your schedule. Contact us today at 630-932-9100 to speak with an experienced DuPage County personal injury lawyer about your case.