Increased Accident Risks During The End Of Daylight Saving Time

The end of Daylight Saving Time is here and that means we will be turning back our clocks an hour and get to sleep for one more hour. This is probably welcome relief to sleep deprivation for most, but the time change can also be deadly. In fact, there is a statistical increase in car accidents and other safety events during the time following this change of the clocks.

First, it will be darker in the evening hours, during peak driving time at rush-hour. Drivers and pedestrians have yet to get accustomed to the decrease in visibility and they could take chances when crossing busy roadways, creating increased risks of being in an accident.

Secondly, statistics show that pedestrians who walk at dusk have triple the chance of getting hit and killed by a motor vehicle during the days after the end of Daylight Saving Time, in comparison to right before the clocks were changed. According to Carnegie Mellon University, pedestrians experience a 186 percent increase in fatal accidents in from October to November.

The National Road Safety Foundation has also studied accident statistics at the end of Daylight Saving Time. The organization found that evening driving after the sun has gone down makes drivers more tired. Considering that our society already has a problem with being sleep deprived, the increased drowsiness serves to increase driver and pedestrian risks across the board.

California residents are asked to be aware of the dangers related to the end of Daylight Saving Time. If possible, one might prefer to adjust the commute home from the office to drive home earlier, when the sun is still out. Furthermore, if injured by a negligent motorist during this highly dangerous time, California residents might want to consider the pursuit of a personal injury lawsuit.

Source: Safety Toolbox Topics, “End Of Daylight Saving Time Can Be Deadly,” accessed Nov. 02, 2016