Sunday: Daylight Saving Switch

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (October 30, 2024) – Daylight Saving Time, ending November 3, gives Minnesotans a good reason to review our driving habits, especially because we'll all be adjusting to the time change on Monday morning.

Daylight Saving Time can have a negative impact on energy levels and driving abilities in the following weeks. The change in sleep patterns and bed time can throw off circadian rhythms and make Minnesotans even more drowsy on the road, even with that extra hour of sleep. Get enough rest, and be mindful of everyone on the roads – other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

"Your body can't always warn you that you're too tired to drive, and many Minnesotans are travelling and commuting in the dark through winter. The only safe bet is making sure you get enough sleep”, said Brynna Knapp, spokesperson for AAA.

Drowsy driving

Symptoms of drowsy driving can include trouble keeping eyes open, drifting from lanes, or not remembering the last few miles driven. Alarmingly, however, more than half of drivers involved in fatigue-related crashes experienced no symptoms before falling asleep behind the wheel.

Per research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety:

• Drivers who have slept for less than five hours have a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk.
• Drivers who miss one to two hours of sleep can nearly double their risk for a crash.
• 96 percent of drivers view drowsy driving as completely unacceptable behavior that is a serious threat to their safety, but nearly 29 percent admit to driving when they were so tired they had a time keeping their eyes open at least once in the prior 30 days.

Vision health and safe driving

Who knew? More than 6 in 10 U.S. drivers rely on prescription eyewear behind the wheel, according to a new AAA survey. Daylight Saving Time is the perfect time to remind everyone of the importance of vision correction for safe driving.

AAA encourages all drivers to prioritize their eye health and ensure they have up-to-date prescriptions. Regular eye exams play a crucial role in identifying potential vision problems and ensuring safe driving conditions. As Daylight Saving Time's end means it will get dark earlier, AAA recommends that drivers should:

·         Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing the following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you.

·         Keep your eyes moving. Do not focus on the middle of the area illuminated by your headlights. Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves, or at intersections, as these may indicate the presence of oncoming vehicles.

·         Look at the sides of objects. In dim light, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object.

·         Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams. If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the white-painted edge line and stay on course until the vehicle passes.