The Dangers of Nighttime Motorcycle Driving

Nighttime driving is simply more dangerous than driving a vehicle during the daytime. This is true for any type of vehicle on the roadway, but more so true for motorcyclists. There are many additional challenges to driving at night that could lead to significant dangers for a motorcyclist. Here, we want to look at these other challenges in the hopes that we provide the information necessary for motorcyclists in Denver and throughout Colorado to help them make decisions about the best times to hit the roadway.

Riding a Motorcycle at Night – The Unexpected Dangers

Even though there is typically less traffic at night and temperatures can be cooler, riding at night can be filled with significant dangers for motorcyclists. This is something we particularly need to be aware of in Colorado. According to the state Department of Transportation, motorcycle crash fatalities were up 12% in 2020 over the previous year.

Some of the main hazards associated with nighttime driving can affect any driver on the roadway, not just motorcyclists. However, motorcyclists are much more vulnerable on the roadway than others inside traditional passenger vehicles, and they need to be particularly on guard for the following:

• Alcohol- or drug-impaired drivers. The simple reality is that most drug- and alcohol-impaired driving occurs in the evening and at night, particularly on the weekends. Motorcyclists need to be much more cognizant of these particular hazards during the nighttime. Unfortunately, impaired driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities in the state of Colorado, and impaired drivers often fail to even hit the brakes before a collision occurs.
• Night vision problems. Not every driver on the roadway has perfect night vision. Even those who believe they can see just fine at night may have more difficulty in the evening hours than during the day. Additionally, you never really know which vehicle drivers around you have night vision problems, and a motorcycle is harder to see than bigger vehicles. You could end up in a major crash as a result of another driver’s night vision problems.
• Being visible to others. Motorcycles are simply not as big as other vehicles, and this could lead to major problems at night. Because of the smaller size of a motorcycle, drivers may not see an oncoming motorcycle, or they may not see a motorcycle in their blind spot. This is particularly a problem for motorcyclists who do not wear reflective or bright clothing.
• Hazards in the roadway. When there are hazards on the roadway, such as potholes, trees, animals, or any other objects, this can place motorcyclists at risk of sustaining severe injuries if a collision occurs. These objects can be difficult to see in the daytime and nearly impossible to see at night.

Working With an Attorney

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver in or around the Denver area, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. When an attorney gets involved, they will be able to gather the evidence needed to prove liability, handle all negotiations with insurance carriers, and help their client recover the compensation they are entitled to. Even though nighttime driving presents more risks for motorcyclists, this does not mean that they should not be able to secure compensation when someone else causes the motorcycle crash.