Daylight Saving Time Safety Tips

by Seth Blum in General News

Benjamin Franklin had the idea for Daylight Saving Time (DST) as a way to make the most of daylight hours. However, safety experts argue that there is a link between car accidents and Daylight Saving Time and that the practice disrupts human circadian rhythms. Below, the Central Florida car accident lawyers at Holliday Karatinos Law Firm discuss the connection between car accidents and daylight saving and offer DST safety tips.

 

When Is Daylight Saving Time in 2022?

 

Daylight Saving Time in 2022 begins on March 13 at 2:00 AM. 

 

How Daylight Saving Time Can Negatively Impact Us

 

Many people lose sleep when Daylight Saving Time begins. This loss of sleep has been linked to more fatal collisions, work accidents, and health events like heart attacks. Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Stanford University published a study that found a statistically significant increase in the number of car accident fatalities on the Monday after Daylight Saving Time. The average number of car accident fatalities jumped from 78.2 deaths to 83.5 deaths on the Monday following DST. 

 

Even mild sleep deprivation can dangerously impair a motorist’s driving ability. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that sleeping between six and seven hours a night instead of eight hours doubled the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. 

 

Safety Concerns Regarding Fatigued Driving

 

According to the Sleep Foundation, driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving drunk. It is dangerous for people to get behind the wheel while fatigued because drowsy driving can cause:

 

  • Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
  • Impaired judgment and decision-making abilities
  • Impaired coordination 
  • Delayed reaction times
  • Difficulty judging distance from other vehicles 
  • Drivers to fall asleep
  • Difficulty multi-tasking
  • Impaired hand-eye coordination

 

Daylight Saving Time Safety Tips 

 

If at all possible, try to avoid driving while you are feeling tired. Implement these safety tips leading up to DST: 

 

  • Get adequate sleep – Aim for a solid eight hours of sleep every night. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Avoid things that can adversely affect your sleep, such as using technology in bed or drinking caffeine. 
  • Adjust your bedtime – Get your body used to DST by going to sleep a little earlier and waking up earlier in the days leading up to DST. This will give your body time to adapt to the change instead of being suddenly affected by it.
  • Don’t drink – Alcohol can further depress your system, so avoid drinking, especially at night in the days after DST. 

 

Contact a Lutz Car Accident Lawyer for Help After a Car Crash

 

If you were injured in a Brooksville car accident, reach out to a personal injury attorney in Inverness. The Holliday Karatinos Law Firm has recovered more than $125 million for our deserving clients. We have over 50 years of collective experience we will put to use to pursue maximum compensation for your claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.