How to Safely Navigate Daylight Saving Time Coming to an End

VOORHEES, N.J. (October 20, 2023) -- It's almost time to fall back. Daylight saving time comes to an end on November 5. While gaining an extra hour of sleep may sound great at first, AAA South Jersey is here to remind drivers of potential drawbacks too.

With it getting dark earlier in the evening, drivers need to be more focused on the road.

Drowsy driving is always a danger with any time change.

According to AAA Foundation research:

• 95% of drivers view drowsy driving as very or extremely dangerous, but 19% admitted to driving when they were so tired that they had difficulty keeping their eyes open at least once in the previous 30 days before the survey (Traffic Safety Culture Index).
• Drivers who have slept for less than 5 hours have a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk.
• Drivers who miss one to two hours of sleep can nearly double their risk of a crash.

AAA recommends that drivers:

• Should not rely on their bodies for warning signs of drowsiness and should prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road.
• Travel at times of the day when they are normally awake.
• Avoid heavy foods.
• Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment.

But drowsiness isn't the only factor. Dark conditions can make it harder to see while driving. With clocks moving back one hour, you will likely be driving more in the dark, making it a good time to check the illumination of your headlights.

• With 50% of crashes occurring at night, drivers should check their headlights for signs of deterioration and invest in new headlights or, at a minimum, a low-cost headlight cleaning and restoration to boost driving safety after dark. Headlights can show signs of deterioration after three years, but most commonly by year 5.
• AAA suggests drivers check their headlights for changes in appearance, such as yellowing or clouding. If the bulb is difficult to see, it is time to replace or restore the lens as soon as possible. Replacement and restoration services are available at most repair shops, including AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities.
• Do-it-yourself restoration offers some savings for consumers, is relatively simple, and substantially improves light output.
• Make sure headlights are correctly re-aimed to maximize forward lighting performance and minimize glare to oncoming and preceding drivers.

It's important to remember that children may be on their way home from school as it gets darker in the late afternoon.

AAA recommends the following:

• Slow Down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed than a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just ten mph faster.
• Stay Alert. Drivers should always avoid distractions while driving, but it’s crucial in school zones and residential neighborhoods.
• Headlights. Turn on the vehicle’s daytime running lights or headlights—even during the day—so children and other drivers can see you more easily. But don’t forget to turn them off when you reach your destination to maintain your battery life.