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We’ve made it through those long, cold, dark winter days and nights to come out on the other side. The results are in: the groundhog did not see his shadow, which means it’s spring! And we couldn’t be more excited. March not only brings the beginning of warmer weather but also St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break, and Daylight Savings Time.
Though Daylight Savings Time has been widely debated over the years on whether or not it should still be recognized, it’s still in place here in Arkansas. So that means twice a year, we have to change our clocks forward or backward. Depending on your preference, you may enjoy the longer days of summer versus the shorter days in winter.
If you love the spring and summer months, when it comes time to fall back, you dread the early evenings as it’s dark by 5 pm every night. This can make it feel like it’s almost midnight but it’s only early evening still. Your body might not have adjusted to the time change, and you find yourself falling asleep at the dinner table.
Or you could be in the other camp of people who prefer the sunlight in the mornings during the fall and winter. At this time, our schedules often change from a more carefree summer vacation vibe to a get-up-and-go, back to school, and back to our regularly scheduled programming. Because the sun sets earlier during the fall and winter, you’ll get that early morning sunshine, which makes it a little bit easier to get out of bed when it’s cold outside.
Daylight Savings Time Changes
Spring Forward
Add an hour on a Sunday in March
Later sunrise, later sunset
Clocks “spring ahead”
Fall Back
Lose an hour on a Sunday in March
Earlier sunrise, earlier sunset
Clocks “fall” back
One thing is for sure: Daylight Savings Time has a direct relation to our body, mind, and spirit. No matter which side of the clock you’re on, the time change may be affecting you without you even noticing it. This goes for all areas of your life, but it can even influence your driving and the driving of others on the highway. According to this Cars.com article, studies show more accidents occur around Daylight Savings Time each year.
Don’t Drive Sleep Deprived
If you don’t adjust your sleep schedule, you might find yourself tired and drowsy on your morning commute or your drive home. Even if you take the same route every day, if the time change has messed with your rest, it can really mess you up on the road. You or another driver might run a red light, forget to use a turn signal, or fail to yield, resulting in an accident.
Allow Yourself Time to Adjust
No matter the time of day, if it’s not light out, your eyes might not be adjusted to the dark, resulting in low visibility of what’s on the highway. This can result in reduced alertness and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents. In one day, your commute could go from all light to all dark or vice versa, and you need to give yourself time to prepare for that change.
If you think about a truck driver who had to stop to sleep all night or day, get up, and drive another full shift, might already have a hard time adjusting to the time of day, but if you throw a time change in on top of that, you can imagine the tricks it could play on your mind. We often don’t think about what other drivers are going through and how that could cause accidents.
Plan Your Schedule
Whether you are a morning person or not, it’s a good idea to allow yourself extra time the week before or after a time change to adjust your sleep schedule. This will hel you prepare for and get used to the time change. Changes in lighting conditions during morning and evening commutes can increase traffic accidents around Daylight Savings Time, so make sure to keep that in mind.
Contact Us Today
At Denton, Zachary, and Norwood PLLC Law Firm, we want to make sure you’re prepared if an accident happens to you this spring. Daylight Savings Time might not seem dangerous, but you’d be surprised how many accidents can occur due to seasonal time changes. Any accident involving another car or a semi-truck can be a nightmare, but we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Are you in need of expert representation for a case evaluation? Our friendly team is ready to assist you at our convenient Little Rock, Conway, or Cordova locations. Your satisfaction is our top priority! Be aware of all drivers, especially semi-trucks, on the road this spring. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by following our helpful tips on how to prevent accidents during Daylight Savings Time. If you have any questions or need help now, please contact us today!
Help Prevent Accidents During Daylight Savings Time:
1. Don’t drive sleep-deprived
2. Allow yourself time to adjust
3. Plan your schedule