The Time Change Creates Risk on the Road

The Time Change Creates Risk on the Road

Many people think of the November time change as the good one. When we “fall back,” we get to sleep for an extra hour. The trade-off is that the sun sets earlier. That can be especially troublesome in the east, where sunsets are already earlier than in other parts of the country. For example, here in Lowell, Massachusetts the sun will set at 5:36 p.m. on November 2. 

Then, in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 3, we’ll set the clocks back. Or, for most of us, our phones and computers and smart watches will set themselves back. And, on Sunday afternoon, the sun will set at 4:34 p.m.

What you may not know is that the abruptly-earlier sunset isn’t just an annoyance–it can put lives at risk. One recent study showed that traffic fatalities increase by about 6% right after the time change. 

The Impacts of the Fall and Spring Time Changes Are Different

Falling Back Means Lower Visibility for Your Evening Commute

Most traffic accidents happen between 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. There are many factors that may play into that, including that it includes the evening rush hour. One variable is that those are the hours when we’re transitioning from full sunlight to darkness. If you have a long commute home from work, you may not need your headlights when you leave the office, but have to turn them on before you make it home. 

The time change aggravates that issue because the change is sudden. That’s buffered a bit for most commuters by the fact that the time changes in the middle of a weekend. Still, visibility on the drive home may be dramatically different on Monday than it was on Friday.  If you’re thinking, “So? We’ll just turn on our headlights!” that’s fair–but, it doesn’t seem to play out that way. One recent study concluded that switching to year-round daylight saving time (DST)–that’s the “spring ahead” portion of the year–would save the lives of about 171 pedestrians each year.

Springing Ahead Means Lost Sleep

Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol–and that doesn’t just mean when you’re too exhausted to keep your eyes open. Sleeping 5-6 hours instead of 7-9 can significantly increase the risk of a traffic crash.

When the clocks jump ahead during the night, many of us lose an hour of sleep.That not only means more people in the 5-6 hour category, but also that many people are operating on less sleep than they’re used to.

Traffic Safety is the Driver’s Responsibility

Factors like darkness can impact the crash risk. Ultimately, though, the vast majority of traffic accidents could be avoided if drivers keep their attention on the road, obey traffic safety regulations like speed limits and signaling lane changes, and keep their vehicles maintained. Obviously, these principles apply every time you get in the car. 

You’ll also want to be conscious of risk factors like the abrupt change in lighting for the evening commute after the time change, holidays when there tend to be more drunk drivers on the road, and weather conditions that lower visibility and may increase stopping distance. One particular precaution you’ll want to take after the November 3 time change is to ensure that you’ve considered whether you need to turn on your headlights earlier. Also recognize that other drivers may not have recognized that need, and so may be less visible as the light fades. 

Injured in a Car Accident?

To schedule a free consultation with attorney Kevin P. Broderick, just call 978-459-3085 right now. Kevin has been helping people who were injured in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for decades, and can provide the knowledge, guidance, and determination you need.