What to Know About Daylight Savings Time and Auto Accidents

With the clocks moving back one hour due to the end of Daylight Savings Time, many people were excited to get an extra hour of sleep on Sunday. But that also means that daylight comes earlier and it gets dark outside earlier. While these changes occur twice a year, they can be disruptive to your sleep cycle and your safety on the road in a few different ways.

It may be dark when you get off work.

In late fall and early winter, the sun sets early in Nashville. If you get off work around 5 p.m., there’s a good chance it will be completely dark when you head home. Driving after dark is always more dangerous than driving when it’s light outside, so be extra cautious and be sure that all of your lights—headlights, taillights, brake lights, and signals—work.

You may get less sleep because of earlier sunrises.

Being well-rested and alert is up there with driving sober and distraction-free when it comes to being safe behind the wheel. And while rolling the clocks back one hour can give you an initial increase in sleep, it can result in earlier wakeups due to earlier sunrises. If you’re sleep-deprived due to those early wakeups, go to bed earlier to make up for the change.

Shorter days are coming.

The shortest day of the year is on Dec. 21, which is the winter solstice. As we approach that day, the amount of daylight we get decreases. And the less daylight there is, the more time we spend driving in the dark. In addition, this time of year means more holiday parties and gatherings, and they often involve alcohol and an increased potential of drunk drivers.

Rolling the clocks forward and backward can make Middle Tennessee’s roads more dangerous, but ultimately, drivers are still in control of their actions. If you get hurt by a negligent driver, the Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce Law are here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

RELATED ARTICLES

$17.8 Million Awarded to Improve Tennessee Highway Safety
There’s an old adage that the best defense is a good offense—and it can certainly be applied to the idea of highway safety. The Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce...
Why Do You Need to Contact Your Own Insurance Company After a Crash?
After an auto accident, there are a few steps you should take to protect your health and your rights. First, you should call 911. Doing so sends police officers and...
Police Working to Reduce Tennessee Pedestrian Accident Numbers This Halloween
October 25, 2013 While Halloween can be a fun night for children, it can sometimes prove to be deadly. Data indicates that an average of 5.5 pedestrian accident fatalities are...
OUR REVIEWS
Excellent customer service and professionalism
- Laura Forero
He is a very good attorney, I recommend him
- Rosa Rodriguez
They helped me with my SSD case, very professional and attentive
- Luis Ruiz
FREE CASE REVIEW