As someone attending college in Virginia, you are likely aware of the fact that people often host their celebrations in the evenings. Even academic or work-related parties with alcohol will usually take place in the later hours of the day. However, night driving can be dangerous even if you haven’t had much to drink.
Let’s first examine the effects that a high blood alcohol content (BAC) level can have, even if your BAC isn’t over 0.08 percent. Often times you will experience a loss of coordination, fine motor skills, and the ability to focus or concentrate. Your vision may become blurry. It can be difficult to detect things in your peripheral vision.
Next, let’s look at what the National Safety Council has to say about driving at night. There are many unique dangers that night drivers face. This includes limited visibility because of the darkness or the oncoming headlights of other vehicles. Lowered reaction times and the possibility of driver fatigue also play into the mix.
When you go out onto a dark road when your senses are already somewhat impaired, your chances of getting into a crash rise considerably. This is because your vision, reaction times, and ability to make quick and clear decisions will all be hampered by both your environment as well as your BAC level.
One of the first things you may want to consider doing after getting involved in a DUI-related crash at night is contact an experienced attorney. They will be able to help guide you through what you should do next when facing potential charges.
