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It has not been that long since daylight savings time started once again and everyone in Pennsylvania set their clocks one hour ahead. Many people think that this small change in time does not have any real consequences. After all, it happens in the middle of the night when most people are asleep and so, the effects are not really felt.
However, studies have shown that daylight savings time increases the number of fatal car accidents on the road, regardless of whether the clocks move forward or back an hour. Below is a look at this phenomenon and why so many more deadly crashes happen at this time of the year.
Losing Sleep Causes Drowsy Driving
When people lose an hour of sleep at night, they are more likely to drive while drowsy. Motorists that are extremely tired behind the wheel are less likely to be able to concentrate on the road, may have slowed reaction times, and experience perception issues. Many people do not ensure that they go to bed earlier the night daylight savings time begins to make up for the hour of sleep they lose. As such, they are even more tired than usual when they get up to go to work in the morning and therefore, drive while drowsy. This is extremely dangerous, as studies have shown that drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
Pedestrians are Less Attentive, Too
It is not only drivers that are affected by daylight savings time. Everyone is more tired when they lose an hour of sleep, including pedestrians. This may mean that pedestrians do not look before they cross the street, increasing the chance that a vehicle will hit them. When daylight savings time ends and it is darker out earlier, pedestrians may not see vehicles as quickly as they would have otherwise, dart out in front of them, and become injured in an accident.
Driving in the Dark Causes More Crashes
Driving in dark conditions is known to be much more dangerous than driving when the sun is out. When daylight savings time ends in late fall, people not only drive in the dark at night, but also in the morning when people are driving to school or work. It is well known that driving in the dark is much more dangerous than driving during daylight hours and causes more accidents because drivers’ visibility is reduced.
Were You Injured in a Crash? Our Pennsylvania Car Accident Lawyers can Help
Even though daylight savings time may cause more accidents, both in early spring and late fall, everyone is still responsible for ensuring they drive in a reasonable manner that keeps people safe. If you have sustained serious injuries in a crash and believe someone else was at fault, call our Philadelphia car accident lawyers at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin. We know how to prove another person is to blame for your injuries, and how to hold them accountable for paying the compensation you deserve. When you are hurt, call us today at (215) 610-3440 or contact us online to learn how we can help.
