Be careful on the road after we “fall back” this weekend
Posted October 31, 2014 9:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – This weekend marks the end of Daylight Saving Time, as we revert to Pacific Standard Time for the fall and winter months.
Even though we “gain” an hour of sleep, the time change can still affect our abilities behind the wheel.
“Studies out there have shown that the time change — whether in the spring or the fall — can have a pretty dramatic impact on some people. It can really affect our sleep and what we call our biological body clock… it can post some dangers on the road,” says Adam Grossman with ICBC.
Some people also over-compensate by staying up later, which doesn’t help.
“Fatigue can really affect the quality of our driving — our concentration, our alertness behind the wheel, and our reaction time to potential hazards,” says Grossman.
The sleep factor, along with more hours of darkness and the often-wet weather makes driving conditions less than favourable.
Grossman says it can be hard to see pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
“Give yourself some extra time, so you’re not rushing. And adjust your speed to the conditions… Also, it’s the time of year to think about your vehicle and prepare it for the change in the weather,” he advises.
Clocks go back one hour on Sunday at 2 a.m.
