Daylight Savings and Driver Safety

Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends on November 6. The time change in the fall means more time spent driving in lower light conditions, significantly increasing the risk of crashes. The National Safety Council has found that traffic fatalities are three times higher after dark. Night driving can be dangerous because visibility is limited, creating less time to react, especially when driving at higher speeds.

Pass along these helpful tips to improve driver safety:

• Ensure you are fully rested 
  Be mindful of how the daylight savings time change potentially impacts your physical and mental health. Reduced sun exposure during this time of year can significantly impact your circadian rhythm, causing your body to create more melatonin—making you feel more tired. Plan ahead to ensure your body and mind are well-rested.
• Stay alert on the road
  Other drivers are also getting used to the time change, so alertness is critical for drivers during this time.
• Know if the time change impacts pickup and delivery times
  Double-check your pickup and delivery times, Estimated Times of Arrival (ETAs) and Next Available Times (NATs).

Avoiding fatigue is critically important to maintaining driver safety. A 2021 NHTSA report revealed that nearly 100,000 police-reported crashes resulted from driver fatigue. With this in mind, it is more important than ever to ensure drivers get enough sleep before they get behind the wheel, especially after daylight savings changes.

The Pros Behind the Pros at TVC value driver safety. We are here to help promote safe driving habits that will help protect you and your drivers. TVC can be a helpful resource in building or boosting your safety program. If you’re interested in learning more, email us at sales@prodriver.com.