Daylight Saving Time a Factor in Fatal Car Crashes

In most states, the clocks “spring forward” to mark the beginning of daylight saving time. However, less sunlight in the morning can have life-altering consequences. A 2020 Current Biology study linked daylight saving time to a 6% rise in car crashes, especially during the first few days after clocks move forward.^[1]

That’s because losing an hour in the morning increases sleep deprivation and fatigue, which can decrease concentration and potentially lead to collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.^[2]

You may be entitled to a higher car accident settlement amount if your collision occurred during the transition to daylight saving time. In some cases, car accident pre-settlement funding can help you manage expenses as your case progresses.

Spike in Fatal Car Accidents After Daylight Saving

According to Dr. Kelly Carden, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, “Studies consistently show the spring transition to daylight saving time is associated with negative consequences for health, safety, and productivity.”^[3]

In fact, studies show individuals sleep up to 20 minutes less per night following the daylight saving time transition.^[4] High school students even showed slower response times when evaluated with a test that monitors alertness, so an increase in daylight saving car accidents is no surprise.^[5] Let’s look at the factors contributing to this correlation.

Factors Contributing to Increased Car Crashes from Daylight Saving Time

Were you involved in a car accident in mid-March? Multiple factors contribute to the spike in fatal car crashes during the daylight saving transition. Learning about these factors may strengthen your legal claim.

• Sleep deprivation: Sleep deprivation can significantly impact driver alertness and reaction times.^[6] While the NHTSA estimates that 1.8% of fatal crashes involve a drowsy driver, an investigation by the AAA suggests this figure is closer to 18%. ^[7][8]
• Darker morning commutes: The previously mentioned Current Biology study highlights the “time of day effect.”^[9] Darker mornings during rush hour reduce driver visibility. Researchers use this hypothesis to explain why the increase in morning car accidents is higher in the west compared to the east.
• Circadian changes: Circadian rhythms govern your body like an internal clock. Losing just 1 hour of sleep can negatively impact health and lead to drowsy, unfocused driving.^[10]

Due to the heightened risk of serious car accidents around daylight saving time, drivers should take extra steps to stay safe during this period.

Daylight Saving Time and Driver Fatigue

Since a vehicle travels nearly 400 feet at highway speeds in 4 to 5 seconds, quickly nodding off is still harmful to you and the drivers around you.^[11] There are various warning signs of being too tired to drive, but some may ignore these signs.^[11] In some cases, signs may be ignored and it may be impossible to maintain a full night’s rest following the clock change, resulting in a daylight saving car accident.

Safety Tips for Driving During Time Changes

Follow these tips to reduce the risk of car accidents after daylight saving:

• According to the Sleep Foundation, adults need at least 7 hours of sleep each night. You should aim for 7 or more hours to feel fully rested.^[12]
• Start going to bed 10-15 minutes earlier in the week leading up to the clock change so your body can adjust.
• Use headlights during your commute to increase visibility.
• Keep your windshield clean to reduce glare and maintain a clear view of the road.
• Avoid distractions while driving, such as using your phone, having intense conversations with passengers, and eating or drinking.
• Never drive when you’re drowsy. If you’re yawning, have heavy eyelids, or feel tired, get a cab, rideshare, or ask a friend for a lift.

Drivers should take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others on the road. Pedestrians can also benefit from following a specific set of safety tips.

Daylight Saving Time and Pedestrian Safety

Drivers aren’t the only ones at risk of getting into daylight saving-related car accidents. Let’s look at some tips for staying safe while walking during this period:

• Stay alert while walking.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight if the roads are dark.
• Pedestrians should be cautious when using crosswalks during this period and try to make eye contact with the driver when possible.

These safety measures are nonnegotiable as long as the clocks change twice per year. However, experts are considering abolishing daylight saving time and keeping time constant throughout the year.^[13]

Arguments for and Against Changing the Clocks

Daylight saving time is a controversial topic, with experts weighing in to argue the benefits and drawbacks on both sides.

Although daylight saving time was originally introduced to save energy, it’s unclear if this is still a supporting factor.^[14]

On the other hand, changing the clocks twice yearly has health risks and poses a serious threat to road safety. Research shows increased hospital admissions for irregular or quickened heartbeat after the transition. ^[15]

In addition to heart health, mental health, cognitive, and digestive issues are also a concern^[16] Furthermore, DST likely harms productivity at work, which may affect the economy.^[17] Considering that 63% of Americans support abolishing the biannual clock change, a change could be on the horizon.^[18]

So What Can You Do?

Since we can’t control whether we keep daylight saving time, it’s important to take precautions to keep everyone safe during the transition. Start going to bed earlier a week before the clock changes, get 7 hours of sleep, and remain on high alert for tired drivers throughout the week.

Remember, you share the road with truck drivers, who may not work regular work hours and could take longer to adjust.^[19] If you’re involved in a lawsuit following a car accident after daylight saving and are worried about your expenses, call USClaims today. Whether you need funding for a rear-end accident or a broadside collision, we can support you.

Financial Support for Car Accident Injuries from Daylight Saving Time

If you’re pursuing a legal claim, being in a car accident during the daylight saving time transition can lead to financial difficulties. USClaims provides pre-settlement funding to help you manage expenses while your case is pending. If you qualify, we buy a portion of the anticipated settlement, providing you with cash immediately, a process known as car accident settlement funding. Learn how the car accident settlement process works so you know what to expect from start to finish.

USClaims only gets paid if you win your case or reach a settlement so you can focus on recovery without the added stress of financial burdens. Our support can help you cover medical bills, living expenses, and other costs while you await resolution.

For more information, explore the available pre-settlement funding, learn how much funding you can get, and apply now. Call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to take the first step toward securing your financial future during this challenging time.

The availability of pre-settlement funding varies by state. Contact USClaims for more information.

Sources

1. Fritz, Josef, Jr., et al. “A Chronobiological Evaluation of the Acute Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Traffic Accident Risk.” Current Biology, by Elsevier Ltd., Elsevier Ltd., 24 Feb. 2020, www.cell.com/current-biology/pdfExtended/S0960-9822(19)31678-1.
2. Peri, Camille. “What Lack of Sleep Does to Your Mind.” WebMD, 7 June 2021, https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/emotions-cognitive.
3. Clederhouse. “Survey: 55% of US Adults Feel Tired After Spring Daylight Saving Time Transition.” American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers, 19 Feb. 2020, aasm.org/survey-results-us-adults-feel-tired-spring-daylight-saving-time-transition.
4. Sexton, Alison L., and Timothy K. M. Beatty. “Behavioral Responses to Daylight Savings Time.” Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, vol. 107, 1 Nov. 2014, pp. 290-307, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167268114000821, doi:10.1016/j.jebo.2014.03.012. Accessed 2 Dec. 2020.
5. Malow, Beth A. “It Is Time to Abolish the Clock Change and Adopt Permanent Standard Time in the United States: A Sleep Research Society Position Statement.” Sleep, vol. 45, no. 12, Sept. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac236.
6. Marando, Isabella, et al. “The Effect of Time on Task, Sleep Deprivation, and Time of Day on Simulated Driving Performance.” Sleep, vol. 45, no. 9, July 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac167.
7. “Drowsy Driving | NHTSA.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/drowsy-driving.
8. “Drowsy Driving in Fatal Crashes, United States, 2017–2021 – AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.” AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety -, 6 Mar. 2024, aaafoundation.org/drowsy-driving-in-fatal-crashes-united-states-2017-2021.
9. Fritz, Josef, Jr., et al. “A Chronobiological Evaluation of the Acute Effects of Daylight Saving Time on Traffic Accident Risk.” Current Biology, by Elsevier Ltd., Elsevier Ltd., 24 Feb. 2020, www.cell.com/current-biology/pdfExtended/S0960-9822(19)31678-1.
10. Pacheco, Danielle. “Daylight Saving Time: Everything You Need to Know.” Sleep Foundation, 27 Feb. 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/circadian-rhythm/daylight-saving-time.
11. Fatigued Driving – National Safety Council. www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/fatigued-driver.
12. Suni, Eric. “How Much Sleep Do You Need?” Sleep Foundation, 13 May 2024, www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-much-sleep-do-we-really-need.
13. Tanner, Jeremy. “An End to “Springing Forward”? Laws to Abolish Daylight Saving Time Proposed in These States.” The Hill, The Hill, 9 Mar. 2024, https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/4516748-an-end-to-springing-forward-laws-to-abolish-daylight-saving-time-proposed-in-these-states/#:~:text=While%20it’s%20legal%20for%20states,a%20change%20in%20federal%20law. Accessed 20 June, 2024.
14. “7 Things to Know About Daylight Saving Time.” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 9 Mar. 2023, publichealth.jhu.edu/2023/7-things-to-know-about-daylight-saving-time.
15. Chudow, Jay J., et al. “Changes in Atrial Fibrillation Admissions Following Daylight Saving Time Transitions.” Sleep Medicine, vol. 69, May 2020, pp. 155–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2020.01.018.
16. Northwestern Medicine Staff. “Daylight Saving Time and Your Health.” Northwestern Medicine, 23 Feb. 2021, www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/daylight-savings-time-your-health.
17. Navigating Workplace Mental Health Amid Daylight Saving Time Changes | Northwest Human Resource Management Association. nhrma.shrm.org/blog/2023/11/navigating-workplace-mental-health-amid-daylight-saving-time.
18. “AASM Sleep Prioritization Survey.” American Academy of Sleep Medicine, by American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2020, aasm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/sleep-prioritization-survey-2020-elimination-seasonal-time-changes-results.pdf.
19. Staff, FreightWaves. “Dangers of Daylight Saving Time for Truckers.” FreightWaves, 11 Mar. 2019, https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trucking/impact-of-daylight-saving-time-on-truckers.