Driving Tips To Help Adjust For Daylight Saving Time

Despite bipartisan support to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, we are still "springing forward" and "falling back" every year. This time of year throws our bodies out of whack and studies have shown dramatic increases in the number of traffic collisions and fatalities the week after changing to Daylight Saving Time. To help you out, we are sharing some driving tips to help you adjust to losing that hour of your life.

Reason Behind The Statistics

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states the reason behind these statistics and the increase in car crashes and fatalities is because of the disruption to our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. Circadian rhythms are our bodies' daily cycles of hormones and activities. When we have an abrupt one-hour time change, these rhythms do not adapt instantly.

Because many Americans are already sleep-deprived before this time change, it becomes an even bigger problem when people lose another hour of sleep. Add in the changes in light, as we have less in the morning and more in the evening, and it is all a tough adjustment for people.

Driving Tips To Help You Adjust

With all of that in mind, we want to share some driving tips you can do to help you stay safe behind the wheel as our bodies adjust to this transition period.

1. Get Enough Rest

By springing ahead an hour, we are throwing our body's internal clock off. This can impact the quality of sleep you are getting. By depriving your brain of adequate REM cycles, it can have a negative impact on your ability to think on the fly and quickly react to any possible changing road conditions. Your circadian rhythms will adjust over time, so do yourself a favor and go to bed an hour earlier for a few days after the clock change.

2. Keep Your Distance

You should always keep a safe distance between you and the cars around you. However, you will want to make sure to do this after the time change. While you may be feeling tired and out of it, most likely the drivers around you are feeling the same way. Everyone needs a little extra leeway during this transition time, so be patient and keep your distance.

3. Don't Be Distracted

While you should never drive distracted, this is especially the case during this time. You need to be ultra-aware of everything going on around you, as you need to anticipate and prepare for what could happen. Because of that, you should focus solely on the road. Forget the cup of coffee and that breakfast donut you normally eat on the way to work. Save it for the office and focus on the road!

4. See and Be Seen

After months of driving in certain conditions, we are now an hour ahead of our normal schedule. That means the lighting will be different, especially for those early morning commuters. You need to make sure all of your lights are working properly and make sure to keep them on. Also, make sure you can see out of windows properly, so check to see if your wipers are working properly and you have enough wiper fluid. We are still in March also, so some states are still getting ice and snow, so clear that off before leaving. And make sure to have those sunglasses handy for the drive home, as that sun may be hitting just right at that time!

5. Allow Some Extra Time For Morning Commute

With emotions already running high and people are overtired and irritable, it is best to try and leave the house a little earlier for that morning commute. By giving yourself some extra time you won't feel the need to speed to try and make up time to get to work. Also, you won't get overstressed by the inevitable delays that will likely happen, as it is the morning commute after all.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.