Fall time change creates increased danger on the roads

With the recent end of daylight saving time, AAA is warning commuters and travelers about greater risks on the roads from limited visibility and drowsy driving.

In support of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week Nov. 3-9, AAA reminds motorists to be aware of increased drowsiness resulting from disturbed sleep patterns and reduced visibility due to daylight changes. Also, AAA urges drivers to make sure their eyes and prescription eyewear are ready for the darker winter months.

Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2017-21 showed that an estimated 17.6% of all fatal crashes involved a drowsy driver, with an estimated 29,834 people killed in related crashes over the 5-year study period.

“Drivers may not realize the added dangers that can come as the result of a time change,” said Jana Tidwell, AAA Mid-Atlantic public affairs manager. “This one-hour shift during the fall not only creates darker driving conditions, it can also interrupt sleep patterns, potentially resulting in drowsy driving episodes.”

Symptoms of drowsy driving can include having trouble keeping eyes open, drifting across lanes or not remembering the last few miles driven. However, more than half of drivers involved in fatigue-related crashes experienced no symptoms before falling asleep behind the wheel.

More AAA Foundation research findings indicate that drivers who have slept for less than five hours have a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk, and those who miss one to two hours of sleep can nearly double their risk of a crash.

To avoid drowsy driving, AAA recommends motorists get plenty of sleep – at least seven hours a night, plan to travel at times of day when they are normally awake, skip eating heavy foods, and avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment.

For long trips, drivers should schedule a break every two hours or every 100 miles, travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving, and when needed, pull into a rest stop for a quick catnap – at least 20 minutes but no more than 30 minutes of sleep – to help stay alert on the road.

When driving at night, reduce speed and increase following distances. It is more difficult to judge other vehicles’ speeds and distances at night. Be sure to turn on headlights to see better during dawn and dusk, and to be more visible to other drivers.

Make sure headlights, taillights and signal lights are working properly. Keep lights and car windows (inside and out) clean for best visibility. Have headlights properly aimed to  avoid blinding other drivers and improve ability to see the road. When following another vehicle, keep headlights on low beams.

First responders, construction workers, and people stranded with a vehicle breakdown on the side of the road are especially vulnerable to drivers who are not paying attention.  Almost 2,000 people were killed outside their vehicle in roadside crashes during the 2017-21 study period, and nearly 1,500 – more than 75% of those deaths – occurred after dark. This is important always, at all hours, but it is even more critical as the days grow shorter and darkness comes earlier. 

“This data is extremely troubling, especially with the darkest days of the year ahead, and serves as a reminder for drivers to slow down and move over when they see first responders, tow truck drivers and others with emergency lights flashing at the roadside,” said Tidwell.  Nearly 25 states have Move Over laws that also include motorists dealing with disabled vehicles.

In addition to driver dangers, pedestrians are also particularly vulnerable as the sun sets earlier. In 2021, 76% of pedestrians were killed in collisions that occurred when it was dark, with another 4% occurring during dusk or dawn, according to NHTSA. 

“Pedestrians should also be mindful that motorists may not always see them at night, or in the morning and late afternoon as drivers fight sun glare,” said Tidwell.  “Pedestrians need to do their part by wearing bright colors and crossing at intersections or corners, which increases their visibility to motorists.”