Is It Safer to Drive at Night or in Daytime around Wichita & Western Kansas?

Authored by Bradley A. Pistotnik — well-known and highly experienced Wichita truck accident lawyer; author of the book “Truck Accidents Kill,” and an authoritative speaker on trucking safety.

Coverage area: Wichita Metro (Sedgwick County and surrounding communities) and “Western Kansas,” defined here as any county west of a north–south line approximately 10 miles east of Topeka, bounded by Nebraska to the north, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west.

What the Data Shows

• Kansas 2023: 61.0% of all crashes and 51.8% of fatal crashes occurred in daylight. (KDOT 2023 Crash Facts)
• Large-truck fatal crashes skew to weekdays; many occur in daytime. (NHTSA 2023 Large Trucks)
• Despite more daylight fatalities by count in Kansas, national research has long shown higher per-mile risk at night due to visibility, impairment, and fatigue.

Why Nighttime Risk Stays High

• Visibility drop and headlight limitations on rural two-lane roads
• Fatigue risk increases late at night/early morning (FMCSR §392.3 addresses fatigued driving)
• Higher rates of impairment and unbelted occupants after dark (national trend)

Practical Safety Tips for Wichita & Western KS

• Increase following distance on US-54/400 (Kellogg), I-135, I-235, I-70, US-83/281 corridors
• Use high beams on rural segments when legal and safe; scan for deer (17.8% of all KS crashes involve deer)
• If a truck is tailgating or weaving: safely change lanes, avoid “road games,” and call *47 (KHP) or 911 if immediate danger

If you were injured in a truck crash—day or night—on a Kansas highway, we move fast to preserve electronic data and build your case. Motor carriers and their drivers commonly violate the laws and regulations affecting commercial motor vehicles. When you or a loved one is injured due to a car accident with a motor vehicle driver, call the Bull Attorneys. We can help you get just compensation for your injuries. Call us 24/7 on 316-684-4400.