The risk of a serious, even fatal motor vehicle crash rises significantly in the first several days after moving our clocks forward an hour to start Daylight Savings Time. American Medical Response (AMR) urges motorists to keep the increased risk in mind and drive even more carefully than usual.
Published research from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2020 showed that fatal crashes rose by nearly six percent in the week after the start of Daylight Savings Time (DST). The researchers used the U.S. Department of Transportation Fatal Accident Reporting System to study nearly 733,000 crashes nationwide from 1996 through 2017.
Jim Pollard, spokesperson for AMR of Central Mississippi said, “For every fatal crash, there are a great many more which do not take a life but lead to major injuries and disabilities. On through about March 24, every driver should have a heightened awareness of the greater crash threat associated with DST and focus even more keenly on safety behind the wheel.”
The Colorado study attributes the rise in crashes to people getting accustomed to their sleep patterns and needing time to adjust to DST, creating a “mini-jet lag” effect. Early mornings can also be darker just after the time change. The most dangerous day is the first day the time change goes into effect. This year, that day is Sunday, March 10.
AMR Central Mississippi urges drivers to take the below precautions:
- Observe the speed limit and avoid distracted driving
- Put more distance between your vehicle and others
- Use your headlights
- Allow additional time to reach your destination
- Make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up or in a properly installed child safety seat
Operating in 20 Mississippi counties, AMR first responders are dedicated to promoting the safety and wellbeing of the communities we serve.