On Sunday, March 10th, we spring forward one hour into Daylight Saving Time (DST). That means it will be getting darker later, warmer days are ahead, and we’re leaving winter in our dust.
What that also means is that this weekend we will lose an hour of sleep, which is not great for drivers. There have been many studies that show a rise in traffic-related incidents the week following daylight savings. Why is this the case?
We are tired.
Here are a few things you can do to mitigate the impact of the time change:
BEFORE SPRINGING FORWARD:
- Go to bed earlier leading up to the time shift and adjust other daily routines temporarily to reset your internal clock.
- Set your clocks to spring forward on Saturday, so that your body isn’t as out of sync on Monday morning.
- If possible, plan to work from home on Monday so that you can avoid driving all together.
AFTER SPRINGING FORWARD:
- Keep in mind that it may still be dark in the mornings when you leave. Use your headlights as needed to be seen.
- There’s no cure for tiredness (except sleep), but these things can help during the drive:
- Turning up the music
- Opening windows
- Talking to passengers
- Always stay alert: keep your eyes on the road and avoid distractions.
- Drive slowly, giving a buffer of distance between you and others in case someone makes a sudden stop.
- Be aware of other drivers. You may not be tired, but they may be.
Spring forward into a new season safely. Because we all deserve to get where we’re going!
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