When clocks spring forward in March, many people look forward to extended evening daylight, but it comes with a cost.
Comprehensive studies have found that Daylight Saving Time (DST) throws our internal clock (circadian rhythm) out of whack. It’s most intense the day after, but it generally takes about a week for the body to fully adjust. On average, 40 minutes of sleep per night is lost. In the meantime, increased fatigue, decreased alertness, and slower reaction times lead to a surge in traffic- and work-related accidents — fatal accidents rise by a
significant 6% rate during that week.
In the workplace, the severity of injuries also spikes. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 70% of employees are already tired at work. DST exacerbates the situation.
The risk of drowsy driving is more acute for those who are shift workers with already irregular sleep schedules; teen drivers, many of whom are well-acquainted with sleep deprivation; commercial and delivery truckers; and others traveling long distances. It doesn’t help that morning driving, in the span of 24 hours, may be in darkness rather than daylight.
Instead of adjusting to DST after it happens, be proactive. Try going to bed earlier the week prior to DST. Bumping up bedtime by 10 minutes per night over the span of six nights will cover the lost DST hour.
Give yourself some extra time to get to work or school during the week after DST. And be on your best defensive driving behavior to guard against DST-afflicted drivers.
If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact our firm to protect your rights.
