B.C. drivers warned less sleep could mean more crashes due to Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time is just around the corner and B.C. drivers are being urged to rest up before springing forward this weekend.
Road Safety at Work, a partnership between WorkSafeBC and the Justice institute of B.C., is calling upon drivers to prepare for the time change on on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. local time.
According to the organization, a reduction in sleep time impacts how drivers operate on the road.
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“Losing just one hour of sleep can affect our driving ability and increase the risk of crashing,” said Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work, in a release.
“Even minor fatigue can have major consequences when we’re behind the wheel. We’re not as alert, we’re slower to react, we don’t judge distance or recognize hazards as well as we usually do, and our decision-making is compromised.”
Road Safety at Work works to reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries on B.C. roads. It adds that early morning drivers should also be prepared for reduced visibility as they travel in the dark.
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How can drivers prepare for Daylight Saving Time?
ICBC told Daily Hive that while the start of daylight saving is an exciting time as it marks the arrival of spring weather and longer daylight hours, the time change can also affect sleep cycles.
“Be aware of how your body adapts to the time change and how that may impact your ability to concentrate and react to hazards while driving,” said Lindsay Wilkins, media relations advisor for ICBC.
“Time changes can have an impact on the quality of our sleep due to more nighttime restlessness. While you may feel fine, your circadian rhythm can still be significantly disrupted, affecting your alertness while driving.”
Wilkins said that drivers should plan to go to bed early on Saturday night and go to bed at their regular time on Sunday to be ready for Monday morning’s commute. She also recommends that vehicles are prepared for spring, including checking and cleaning the headlights and taillights, ensuring tires are properly inflated, wiper blades are functioning, and wiper fluid is topped up.
“After many weeks of early sunrises, expect darker morning commutes,” she added. “As the weather warms up, there are also more vulnerable road users on our roads. Take extra time while driving to look for pedestrians and cyclists, especially at intersections.”
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When does Daylight Saving Time start in 2025?
According to The Old Farmers’ Almanac, Daylight Saving Time will have us officially springing forward by one hour on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m. local time.
In B.C., this means that the sunset will jump from 6:09 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, to 7:10 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2025, based on the current sunset time.
The clocks will then change once again as we “fall back” by one hour on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Are you in favour of Daylight Saving Time? Let us know in the comments.
With files from Daily Hive Staff