Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday. Losing an hour of sleep can make people feel drowsier that usual. It also means that it will be getting dark earlier, requiring drivers to exercise extra care.
Drowsy driving contributed to an estimated 91,000 crashes in 2017, resulting in 795 fatalities, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Driving on two hours less sleep is the equivalent of driving after consuming three beers, according to
the National Safety Council. And you’re three times more likely to be in a crash if you’re driving while fatigued. Losing sleep
affects your reaction time and focus.
Start preparing for the time change now by going to bed earlier over the next few days.
With the days getting shorter, it’s especially important to keep safety in mind when driving and walking. Help keep our roads safer by following these tips:
- Avoid distractions and be extra cautions when driving.
- Come to a full stop before reaching a crosswalk or intersection and look for people trying to cross before proceeding.
- Slow down for safety. If a crash occurs, it’s less likely to be fatal when cars are travelling at slower speeds. It’s also easier to quickly stop a moving vehicle when it’s traveling at a slower speed.
- If you’re out walking, use sidewalks whenever they are available, rather than walking in the road.
- Use crosswalks or cross at intersections whenever possible.
- If you must walk in the road, walk facing traffic so you can see vehicles approaching.