End of Daylight Savings Time Means Increased Driving Danger, Warns AAA Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. – Nov. 1, 2018 – As we prepare to turn our clocks back an hour at 2 a.m. this Sunday, with the end of Daylight Saving Time, many may rejoice for the extra hour of sleep. However, AAA Kansas is reminding drivers to be prepared for potential challenges, such as changes in sleep patterns, that may increase chances of drowsy driving.

“Shorter days starting next week means many of us will be driving home from work in the dark,” said Shawn Steward, AAA Kansas spokesman. “The risk of drowsy driving also increases with the time change, so drivers should begin taking proper precautions now to ensure they get adequate rest.”

Sleep-deprived drivers cause more than 6,400 deaths and 50,000 debilitating injuries on American roadways each year ⁽¹⁾. Kansas Department of Transportation data from last year reveals that drivers being fatigued or falling asleep was cited as a contributing factor in 1,045 traffic crashes in the state. Symptoms of drowsy driving can include having trouble keeping eyes open, drifting from 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.

“Drivers should not rely solely on their bodies to provide warning signs of fatigue and should instead prioritize getting plenty of sleep in their daily schedules and simply be aware that the shorter days this time of year can create more drowsiness behind the wheel,” continued Steward of AAA Kansas.

AAA Kansas offers the following tips to help drivers avoid potential crashes:

Rest Up: Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. If you do begin to feel drowsy while driving, pull over immediately and rest or call a family member or friend for assistance.
Be prepared for morning/afternoon sun glare: Sun glare in the morning or late afternoon can cause temporary blindness. To reduce the glare, AAA Kansas recommends wearing high-quality sunglasses and adjusting the car’s sun visors as needed. Use of the night setting on rearview mirrors can reduce glare from headlights approaching from the rear.
Car Care Maintenance: Keep headlights, tail lights, signal lights, and windows (inside and out) clean.
Ensure headlights are properly aimed: Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce visibility.
Keep headlights on low beams when following another vehicle, so other drivers are not blinded.
Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. It is more difficult to judge other vehicles’ speeds and distances at night.
Be mindful of pedestrians and crosswalks: Yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.