Dark ... and dusk
Is it easier to drive without daylight? Yes and No.
It'll be harder to identify junctions and see pedestrians, especially if they're still in dark work clothes. If weather's bad, they may not hear you, or even see you if their hoods are up. Making eye contact with drivers is very difficult, as is judging vehicle movement, or seeing labels on your own car's controls. And reflections from your own headlights might confuse. |
More positively, traffic will be less. Schools and shops may be shut. Fewer children are around. Street lighting will be reasonably uniform (compared to bright sky and dull road surface) but may distract you as lamps switch On and Off to save power. For fast-moving road users, you should see light from them or shadows well before you get near, giving you more warning. (Avoid looking at their lights: look instead at what they light up, like road edges and markings). Remember that one motorist's bright lights can mask someone on the road without any.
Be aware that driving at dusk is the trickiest time. Contrast levels are reduced so it's much harder to spot movement.
Be aware that driving at dusk is the trickiest time. Contrast levels are reduced so it's much harder to spot movement.