Daylight Saving Time ending might make you a worse driver

By Ben Eppel

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year: we get an extra hour of sleep.

At least, that's the way it should be. Lara Fitzgerald-Husek is a personal injury lawyer with Oatley Vigmond. She says that the extra hour gives people a false sense of confidence.

“When drivers actually feel like they're gaining an hour, people tend to stay up late, and then they can actually end up more tired than if there hadn't been Daylight Savings at all.”

Husek says that it's getting dark earlier, and that the combination of that and the false sense of confidence can be dangerous.

“People aren't used to that and don't change their behaviour accordingly,” says Husek. “In the two weeks following Daylight Saving Time ending, there's a 10 per cent increase in the average number of car crashes that happen in the late afternoon.

The statistics come from a survey conducted in 2011 by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. According to the survey, 30 per cent of drivers stay up later when Daylight Saving Time ends, and lose any possible benefit of extra sleep. Husek says that this is a mistake.

“Studies show that you really should be keeping your regular sleep cycle,” she says. “Try to go to bed at the time you normally would, then benefit from that extra hour of sleep, so that you're not one of those drivers who's up really late the night before who might be paying less attention or be less alert the next day.”

Waterloo Regional Police Inspector Mark Crowell echoes Husek's concerns for safety.

“We would ask that both pedestrians and motorists be more alert as darkness comes earlier,” Crowell says. “In particular, we suggest motorists slow down and be mindful of pedestrians who may be walking in the area and who may be more difficult to see. Because the time change can also affect sleep patterns, motorists are asked to be mindful of the need for sleep to avoid fatigue while driving.”

Crowell says that drivers have only half of the responsibility for safety on the roads. 

“Pedestrians are encouraged to make themselves visible,” says Crowell. “Carrying a flashlight or wearing reflective clothing will make it easier for motorists to see you. We would also encourage pedestrians to cross in designated areas only, stay focused on the road and avoid any distractions, such as looking at your phone or listening to music.”

“Now is the time to have lights and reflectors on your bicycles,” agrees Husek. “Whether you're getting more or less sleep during Daylight Saving Time, it is just important to be mindful that, when there are worse lighting conditions, it's going to be harder to see those around you and for cars to see you.”

Residents of Waterloo region will set their clocks back an hour when Daylight Saving Time ends on November 4, 2018 at 2:00 a.m.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today