Daylight saving time can heavily impact sleep, with the American Association for Sleep Medicine finding that 55% of those in the U.S. say they feel tired after the switch. (Credit: metamorworks/Adobe Stock)

The switch to daylight saving time happens on Sunday, March 9, but along with the extra evening sunshine comes extra roadway risk.

According to a study from Current Biology, fatal traffic accidents increase by 6% during the spring daylight saving transition — a loss of about 28 more lives than on an average day. In the week after the time change, risk compounds in the morning when it may be darker than usual for people when commuting, while the risk lessens in the afternoon and evening since it stays light longer. The study also found that those in locations further west were more heavily affected by the time change.

Daylight saving time can also heavily impact sleep, with the American Association for Sleep Medicine finding that 55% of those in the U.S. say they feel tired after the switch. Lack of sleep can translate to a lack of awareness on the road, which also increases accident risk.

While adaptation to the time change may take a bit for some, there are ways to lessen roadway risk in the meantime. Travelers Insurance recommends that drivers:

  • Plan ahead: The night before the time change, take steps like setting your alarm clock in advance and planning for adjustments to your morning routine so Sunday morning will go a bit smoother. You should also plan to allow extra time for travel that morning so you can practice extra caution, especially if it is still dark.
  • Prepare for the dark: During dark hours, visibility can be significantly affected, making it harder to spot pedestrians, other vehicles or traffic signs. Be sure to use your headlights, keep your speed slower than normal and keep a safe distance from surrounding vehicles.
  • Consider sun glare: Changing the time the sun comes up also means a change in the way the sun shines through your windshield while driving. The early morning sun can be blinding if it is glaring directly into a driver’s eyes, so it is important to keep sunglasses in your vehicle to increase visibility.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.