In early November each year in the Pacific Northwest, we roll our clocks back an hour to bring us back to Standard Time. The reasoning is that mornings would be too dark in the fall and winter in Northern states if we stayed on Daylight Saving Time year-round. The tradeoff is that with only so many hours of shrinking daylight, the change brings darker evenings. Studies have long shown that traffic accidents after time change increase. The question is why are there more motor vehicle accidents after we switch back to Standard Time in the fall?
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident caused by drowsy driving or reduced visibility, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact an experienced, local car accident attorney to discuss your legal rights.
Why There is an Increase in Traffic Accidents After Time Change
There are two major reasons for the increase in car accidents after the fall time change: 1. Reduced evening daylight and 2. Increased fatigue.
- Reduced Evening Daylight
When the clocks roll back in the fall, it means an earlier sunset and less light in the early evening, right as commuters are dealing with rush hour traffic. This results in three key issues:
- Diminished visibility: Dusk and dark make it harder to see road hazards, other vehicles, and pedestrians.
- Pedestrian accidents: With reduced visibility comes higher risks for pedestrians and cyclists because they are harder to see in low light. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports a sharp rise in pedestrian accidents during the fall and winter months when more people are walking or running in the dark.
- Glare from lights: The glare from street lights and oncoming headlights can cause a halo or blinding effect, which can dramatically affect a driver’s depth perception and reaction time.
- Drowsy Driving
Switching back to Standard Time disrupts the circadian rhythm, which controls our sleep-wake cycle. Even though we gain an extra hour of sleep in the fall, the change throws our internal clock off kilter, leading to fatigue and drowsy driving.
- Fatigue impacts reaction times: Even small changes in our sleep schedule can cause drowsiness, which makes it much harder to stay alert and increases reaction time behind the wheel.
- Drowsy driving: According to the National Safety Council (NSC), driving while drowsy contributes to about 100,000 crashes in the U.S. every year.
How to Stay Safe on the Road After the Fall Time Change
Here are a few simple tips for reducing your risk of being in an accident after we reset the clocks each fall:
- Avoid driving when you are very drowsy or fatigued. If you’re already driving and find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open, pull over and take a cat nap.
- Try going to bed an hour earlier a couple of days in advance of the change so you will be extra rested when the change comes.
- Stay extra alert when driving at dusk or early evening, when vehicle and pedestrian traffic are still heavy but your eyes are adjusting to the dark.
- Limit your distractions and keep your full attention on the road when driving in low-light.
- Make sure your vehicle’s headlights, brake lights, windshield wipers, and turn signals are working properly and clean your windshield to reduce glare and ensure maximum visibility.
If you are involved in a car accident after dark, be sure to follow these steps for what to do after a car accident to help protect yourself and others.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
