• Know the Risks
    • Teen Driver Risks
      • Distracted Driving
      • Nighttime and Drowsy Driving
      • Speeding and Street Racing
      • Low Safety Belt Use
      • Impaired Driving
    • Teen Passenger Risks
      • Keep the Driver Distraction Free
      • Help Keep the Driver Alert and Awake at Night
      • Know Why Speeding is Dangerous and Reckless
      • Always Wear a Seat Belt
      • Steer Clear of Impaired Drivers
    • Respect the Rig Truck and Bus Safety
      • Big Rig Events
      • Order a Respect the Rig Community Toolkit
    • Rail Safety
    • Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
    • External Links and Resources
  • Be Involved
    • Learn How to Start TDS
    • Sign Up Your School / Request Virtual Access
    • Event / Activity Form for All-Star Points
    • Order a Respect the Rig Community Toolkit
    • @TeensDriverSeat Takeover
    • Be a Teen Influencer
    • Apply to Be a Teen Advisory Board Member
    • Take the Pledge to Keep Our Drive Alive
    • Find Your Regional Representative
  • Take Action
    • Get Activity Ideas
    • Download Activity Items, Posters, and More
    • See and Share Videos
    • Ride With Me @ Home – Parent Information
    • #BeTheChange with Tyson Dever
    • Find Speakers and Educators
    • Teens in the Driver Seat in Georgia
    • Teens in the Driver Seat in Colorado
  • Events & Contests
    • Events Calendar
    • All-Star Reward Program
      • Event / Activity Form for All-Star Points
      • All-Stars Distractions Unit
      • All-Stars Nighttime Drowsy Driving Unit
      • All-Stars Speeding Unit
      • All-Stars Seat Belts Unit
      • All-Stars Share the Road Unit
      • All-Stars Impaired Unit
    • Big Rig Events
    • Driving the Message Contest
    • Extra Mile Senior Activity
    • Ride With Me Junior High
    • Safe Driving Summit, 2021
    • Social Media Teen Influencer
    • SponStar Awards
      • Teacher Discounts
    • Teen Advisory Board
      • Teen Advisory Board Application
    • Teen of the Month
    • Track-A-Thon Contest
    • Zero Hero
  • You in the Driver Seat App
    • April Contest for App Users
  • About Us
    • News
    • Contact Us
    • Where We Are and Your Regional Representative
    • Partners
    • Private Partnering Opportunities
    • Donate
    • History and Recognition
    • 15 Year Report Card
  • Login

Teens in the Driver Seat

A peer-to-peer safe driving program for your school.

Text iDrive to 1-888-825-1346 for TDS and safety text messages.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

October 27, 2014

The Biggest Risk – Nighttime Driving

nighttime_driving_thumbnailDrowsy Driving Prevention Week is November 2 – 9! Spread the word about drowsy driving so others will know the risk and take precautions.

Driving at night is the single biggest risk factor for teen drivers. This is due to visibility challenges, fatigue and driver inexperience. Here are some facts you should know and tips to help you stay safe behind the wheel at night – especially when the time changes November 2 and we find ourselves driving in the dark more often.

The problem of nighttime driving:

  • Dusk is the most dangerous time to drive since your eyes are having to constantly adjust to more darkness
  • Your field of vision is usually smaller without the aid of light and glare of oncoming headlights further impair you ability to see well and avoid hazards
  • It is more difficult to judge other vehicle’s speed and distance at night

The problem of drowsy driving:

  • It’s important to recognize when you are too tired to drive.
  • Difficulty focusing, heavy eyelids, daydreaming, drifting out of your lane, yawning and feeling restless or aggressive are all signs of being drowsy and time to pull over and take a break to wake up or take a nap.
  • Teens need between 9-10 hours of sleep each night, but get 7.4, on average.

What you can do:

  • Wear your seat belt. The danger of driving at night should not be multiplied by being unsecured.
  • Keep distractions out of the car and your attention on the road.
  • Turn headlights on at dusk, reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
  • You should be able to stop inside the illuminated area of your headlights. If you’re not, you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
  • Avoid oncoming headlight glare by watching the right edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.
  • Be especially careful of pedestrians and bicycle riders who may still be on the streets after dark.
  • Get the sleep you need.
  • Know the signs of being too drowsy to drive and ask for help!

Read more about the dangers of driving at night>
Download activity resources and posters>

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Article by Stacey Tisdale / News / droswy driving, nighttime, time change

More Ways for Teens to Be Involved

  • Teen Advisory Board
  • Social Media Teen Influencer
  • Extra Mile! Senior Activity
  • You in the Driver Seat Safe Driving App
  • Teen of the Month
  • @TeensDriverSeat Takeover
  • Driving the Message Poster & Video Contest
  • Take the Pledge to Keep Our Drive Alive
  • Safe Driving Summit

Copyright © 2022 Texas A&M Transportation Institute

All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
Comments, suggestions or queries? Contact Us!


Youth Transportation Safety Program
c/o Texas A&M Transportation Institute
1100 NW Loop 410, Ste 605, San Antonio, TX 78213-2255
Ph: (210) 979-9411
Fax: (210) 321-1299

TTI Logo

Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3135
Ph: (979) 845-9008
Fax: (979) 845-9848

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)