Can Mississippi Teens Drive at Night?
Learning to drive is one of the most exciting moments in any young person’s life. Newfound freedom and access to spaces previously out of reach, along with the exhilaration that comes from taking control of a motor vehicle for the first time combine for what should be an important milestone for newly licensed drivers. However, there are still restrictions that teenagers are held to in order to keep them off the road at the most dangerous times.
Mississippi Code § 63-1-21 states that any driver under the age of 18, for the first 6 months that they hold their full licenses, is only allowed to drive unsupervised between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday unless traveling directly to or from work or other educational or extracurricular activity. During those restricted hours, the new driver must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or other licensed driver 21-year-old or above in the passenger’s seat.
These restrictions are in place both to keep the new driver and other people sharing the road with them safe. Driving while it’s light out is both easier to do given the increased visibility, but it’s also significantly safer.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, driving at night is estimated to be nine times deadlier than driving during the day. Nearly half of all fatal accidents occur at night, despite the fact that less than 10% of trips happen during that time. There are several reasons why this is the case, but most notably the reduced visibility from a lack of light and the increased presence of drunk drivers contribute highly to this risk.
Once new drivers clear their six-month restricted driving period, it’s important for parents and guardians to remind them of these risks when getting behind the wheel at night. Both new drivers and more experienced ones can help protect themselves by:
- Regularly check your headlights to ensure they are working properly.
- Remain alert at all times when behind the wheel. Checking your phone while driving is both illegal and dangerous.
- Follow all traffic and safety laws, and potentially drive below the speed limit to increase the time you have to react to other drivers on the road.
If you were seriously injured in a car crash caused by a negligent or reckless driver, you deserve the chance to seek compensation. At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, our Jackson car accident attorneys have more than 150 years of combined experience and are ready and waiting to hear your story. We will work with you to craft a plan of action that puts you in the best position to secure the maximum compensation possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our firm.