Most Danish drivers do not slow down when the road ahead disappears into darkness. A new survey commissioned by the Danish Road Directorate, Vejdirektoratet, shows that 58 percent of motorists would keep to the posted limit of 110 or 130 km/h, or even go faster, on a dark motorway with only dipped headlights.
The findings come as Vejdirektoratet launches a new road safety campaign on Monday 26 October 2026. Its aim is to make darkness a driving condition that deserves the same respect as fog, heavy rain or a slippery surface.
What the survey found
The study was carried out by Epinion in April 2026 and involved 1,012 drivers. Respondents were asked how fast they would normally drive on a dark motorway with no street lighting, no cars directly ahead and only dipped headlights.
The answers split as follows:
110 or 130 km/h or more: 58 percent. 85 to 109 km/h: 35 percent. 70 to 84 km/h: 6 percent. 55 to 69 km/h: 1 percent. 40 to 54 km/h: 0 percent.
In other words, 93 percent of drivers would travel at 85 km/h or faster, even though dipped beams only light up a limited stretch of road.
Why darkness matters on motorways
Lane markings and the tail lights of distant cars can give a reassuring sense of visibility. But a lost load, an animal or another unexpected hazard may only become visible when it is already close. Less time to see means less time to react.
Vejdirektoratet’s own accident figures show how much this matters. Just over one in four motorway accidents happens in the dark, but the consequences are far heavier. Accidents in darkness account for 35 percent of injured people and 55 percent of fatalities on motorways.
Marianne Foldberg Steffensen, head of road safety at Vejdirektoratet, says many drivers instinctively slow down in fog, heavy rain or on icy roads, and that the same reflex should apply after dark. Her message is that drivers should not behave as if they can see the whole road when they cannot. She adds that drivers should follow not only the speed sign but also how far they can actually see.
Drivers focus on other risks
The survey also reveals where drivers direct their attention at night, and speed is not at the top. 62 percent say they pay extra attention to avoiding dazzling oncoming traffic, and 55 percent watch the distance to the car in front. Only 46 percent say they take extra care with their own speed.
Three tips for driving in the dark
Allow extra time for the journey when you know you will be driving after dark.
Adapt your speed to how far ahead you can see, not just to the posted limit.
Use high beam when possible without dazzling other road users, and make sure you know how to operate it in your car.
With the clocks having gone back and the evenings getting darker, the campaign arrives at a relevant moment. The principle behind it is simple: if you cannot see the whole road ahead, do not drive as if you can.
