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In 2009, over 4,000 pedestrians were killed and 59,000 were injured in accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs. Roughly 25 percent of those accidents occurred between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and 13 percent between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to Occupational Health & Safety Online. That means nearly 40 percent of these deadly pedestrian-car accidents occurred when it was dark outside.

With this information in mind, it is extremely important for all drivers to be aware of the fall end of Daylight Savings Time and our shorter days. It’s now common for the sun to go down at around 5 p.m.

Some of you may be thinking this is just common sense. However, there are plenty of people who may not drive every day and are not used to the new shorter days. They may decide to driver to the store or some other location and suddenly find themselves driving in the dark.
Being cognizant of the shorter days is also vitally important for all drivers heading home from work at around 5 p.m. since it may be dark outside by the time you leave the office and pedestrians also heading home will be crossing the streets. This means you have to bevigilant. Even a moment of distraction can lead to a serious pedestrian-car crash injury.

It’s important to remember fundamental safe driving practices such as always having your lights on while driving in the dark and making sure you are cautious when driving through a street with marked crosswalk zones.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm (VA-NC law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers.

PA

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