Most people sleep when it is dark outside; however, have you ever considered the other ways that darkness may impact your body and level of alertness? For example, do you tend to get sleepy at the same time each day because of how long you are awake, or does the darkness make you tired?
If you work the third shift and drive home in the morning, you likely sleep most of the day. If you sleep during the day because you are tired, logically, you should not feel fatigued when it gets dark. However, this still happens, which is one reason why it is often riskier to drive in the dark.
The impact of darkness on your body
Darkness impacts your body and the chemical processes that happen inside it. Your body knows when it is time to rest and begins creating melatonin. This helps you feel sleepy and sleep. It happens when your body is not exposed to light, which is why some people who are exposed to light at night (from the TV or their phone) have a hard time sleeping. Even if you have not gotten enough sleep, your body responds to the presence of light.
How darkness increases the possibility of drowsy driving accidents
It is important to understand the impact of darkness and cases of drowsy driving. Many people try to fight this fatigue by drinking coffee or taking a nap before driving in the dark; however, it is not always effective. Even while driving, your body makes melatonin and prepares for sleep when it is dark. As a result, darkness plays a huge role in drowsy driving accidents.
It is worth mentioning that drowsy driving can occur at any time, not just in the dark. If you are in an accident with a drowsy driver, you may be able to recover compensation.
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