Daylight Saving Time difficult on some drivers
Posted March 8, 2014 8:54 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Get ready to lose an hour of sleep this weekend, tonight we spring ahead for Daylight Saving Time.
The time change can cause some problems on the roads, fatigue being the main problem.
John Dickinson with ICBC says the time shift can really throw off your regular sleep cycle because it puts your circadian rhythm out of sync. “Know that if you didn’t get an extra hour of sleep, you didn’t go to bed early, you may not have the same reaction time as you normally would.”
The consequences are more crashes and near-misses on the road especially involving cyclists and pedestrians. “Not only is it getting lighter, it’s getting warmer. I think more and more people are going to be out on their bikes and walking around. It’s more important than ever that drivers be alert for more activity on the road.”
You’re encouraged to go to bed early tonight and tomorrow night to prepare for Monday’s commute.
On average, in the month of March in BC, there are more than 20,000 crashes.
This weekend’s time change is another reminder to check your smoke alarms.
Vancouver Fire Captain Gabe Roder says it’s recommended you replace the whole thing every 10 years. “Most, if not all smoke alarms, along the side of them have a sticky on them that has a date. If they don’t have a date you might have to take the smoke alarm cover off and look inside.”
You should change the batteries every year too.
Roder adds you can test the alarm by pressing the test button and make sure you teach your kids about it too.
