March 1, 2022

What Are Driving Safety Tips for Daylight Saving Time?

We should all strive to drive safely. It is always something everyone should keep in the front of their minds every time they get behind the wheel. It is especially important to be safe when daylight saving time comes around. You may be surprised, but daylight saving time will affect how you drive during that time of the year. Many people believe that it is antiquated and not necessary. However, most countries around the world still use daylight saving time in some form or another. Japan, India, and China are the only major industrialized countries that do not observe some form of daylight saving time, along with some countries on the equator. The data is clear that car accidents increase at the beginning and end of daylight saving time, so the question is how can you keep yourself safe and free of accidents?

 

Why Have Daylight Saving Time?

 

Daylight saving time was created to save energy. It was first implemented during World War I and then again in World War II. The government decided to keep it after the war ended. When the time shifts on the clock corresponding to when it remains light outside longer, then each household saves a miniscule amount of energy. However, when you add all our houses together, this is a huge energy saving plan.

 

Daylight Saving Car Accident Statistics

 

Studies have been done attempting to link the increase in car accidents around daylight saving time, especially during the spring, when the clocks spring forward. Researchers examined 732,835 car and truck accidents occurring between 1996 and 2017. There was a clear rise in the number of accidents during the spring daylight saving time change. This is the time when everyone loses an hour of sleep. There is a six percent increase in fatal car accidents in the week following the change to daylight saving time. This increase in car and truck accidents also amounts to approximately 28 additional car accident-related deaths each year. The researchers found that the further west in the time zone region a person lives, the greater their risk of a collision. People who live in the western edge of their time zone had about an eight percent increase in fatal car accidents.

The reason, as speculated by the researchers, is that those people already get approximately 19 minutes less sleep than people in the eastern portion of the time zone since the sun rises and sets later.

 

How to Stay Safe During Daylight Saving Time?

 

One important thing to remember during daylight saving time is that you need to adjust your clock and check your watch before leaving for work or school. A lot of motorists have trouble with knowing whether they are safe while driving on daylight saving time because it affects your sleep pattern and makes you more tired while you are behind the wheel. It is always important to be safe when driving no matter what day of the year it is, but this will be even more true after daylight saving time has begun. Here are some suggestions to consider to keep yourself safe during this time of the year:

 

• In the days leading up to daylight saving time, get more sleep to increase your sleep bank and counter the sleep hours you will lose.
• Always keep regular sleep patterns and do not change them during this time of the year.
• Stop activities that keep you up at night such as too much screen time from TV, computers, and smartphones.
• Avoid heavy meals before bedtime.
• Avoid coffee, tea, and soda with caffeine.
• Take a nap if you are feeling tired.
• Try not to smoke before bedtime to avoid nicotine.
• Do not work out or exercise right before bedtime.

 

Types of Compensation for Serious Injuries in Car Accidents

 

If you are seriously injured in a car accident from another driver falling asleep at the wheel, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side fighting for your rights goes a long way for you to be fully and fairly compensated for your injuries. Here are the types of compensation in money damages you can receive under Pennsylvania law:

 

• Economic damages: Economic damages are appropriate for a personal injury case when the injured person has out-of-pocket losses and expenses. These can include both past wage loss and potential future wage loss, past unpaid medical expenses and potential future necessary medical expenses, property damage expense, and miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses depending on the nature of the case.

 

• Non-economic damages: This category of money damages is more esoteric in that there is no set mathematical formula that numbers can be plugged into to come out with an answer, such as with the case of economic damages. Non-economic damages are what lawyers call pain and suffering damages. Another part of non-economic damages is being compensated for the loss of life’s pleasures. There is no formula that can be used to come up with an amount of money that should be paid to the plaintiff. Every case is different, and no two injuries are the same. People with similar injuries can be affected much differently. The pain and suffering can be much more severe than some other personal injury claim.

 

Norristown Car Accident Lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C., Can Help You with Your Car Accident Injuries

 

If you are seriously injured in a car or truck accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you should be compensated for your injuries. The Norristown car accident lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C., will fight for your rights to be fully and fairly compensated. Call us at 267-861-7100 or visit our website to set up a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.