Night driving is particularly dangerous due to what major factor?

Night driving poses significant risks primarily because of reduced visibility and awareness. When driving at night, the amount of light available is greatly diminished, which limits a driver's ability to see the road, obstacles, pedestrians, and other vehicles clearly. This diminished visibility can lead to delayed reactions to hazards and increased difficulty in judging distances and speeds, ultimately increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Additionally, at night, the human eye takes time to adjust to different lighting conditions, which can affect a driver's ability to perceive their environment fully. The combination of these factors means that nighttime drivers must be much more vigilant than when driving during the day. Reduced visibility not only challenges the driver’s ability to see and respond to potential dangers but also can lead to a false sense of security if one is not cautious enough.

In contrast, while increased traffic volume can occur during certain evening hours, it is typically lower than during peak daytime hours, and therefore not the major factor impacting safety. Lack of road signs is not usually a sizeable concern, as most urban and well-maintained rural roads are adequately signed. Fatigue among drivers is a contributing factor but is not as universally recognized as the primary danger of night driving as reduced visibility is.