Daylight Saving Time Ends, Roads Can Become More Dangerous

Enjoy an extra hour of sleep tomorrow; however, it comes with a price. Sunset will occur at 5:07 p.m. tomorrow, which means longer nights and more driving hazards. Anne Le Tran of Esurance suggests that earlier and longer nights lead to individuals driving while drowsy. "Our bodies’ internal clocks tell us to sleep when it’s dark and wake when it’s light. But with the clocks moving back an hour, sunset also comes earlier than before," Le Tran said. "Couple that with the ever-increasing shorter days as our side of the hemisphere moves further away from the sun and we get long, dark nights ahead." Traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day, according to the National Safety Council. "Ninety percent of a driver's reaction depends on vision, and vision is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised after sundown," they said. The Council suggests the following tips to help prepare for safer night driving.

• Clean headlights, tail lights, signal lights and windows (inside and out) once a week, more often if necessary
• Have your headlights properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
• Don't drink and drive. Not only does alcohol severely impair your driving ability, it also acts as a depressant. Just one drink can induce fatigue.
• Avoid smoking when you drive. Smoke's nicotine and carbon monoxide hamper night vision.
• If there is any doubt, turn your headlights on. Lights will not help you see better in early twilight, but they'll make it easier for other drivers to see you. Being seen is as important as seeing.
• Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. It is more difficult to judge other vehicle's speeds and distances at night.
• Don't overdrive your headlights. You should be able to stop inside the illuminated area. If you're not, you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
• When following another vehicle, keep your headlights on low beams so you don't
  blind the driver ahead of you.
• If an oncoming vehicle doesn't lower beams from high to low, avoid glare by
  watching the right edge of the road and using it as a steering guide.
• Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. If you're too tired to drive, stop
  and get some rest.
• If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Warn approaching traffic at once by setting up reflecting triangles near your vehicle and 300 feet behind it. Turn on flashers and the dome light. Stay off the roadway and get passengers away from the area.

Twilight is reportedly the most difficult time to drive as a motorists eyes are constantly readjusting to the changing road conditions. But don't fret, we'll get the extra daylight back again Sunday, March 9, 2014.