Daylight Saving Increases Auto Accidents in Jefferson City

car in traffic

When daylight saving time starts, you need to remember to do more than readjust your clock. According to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Colorado, you should also pay particular attention to your driving in the days after the clocks change. During the first six days after the onset of daylight saving time, road accident rates rise significantly.

Lack of Sleep Impairs Driving Ability

Whether the clocks are springing forward or falling back, the one-hour shift can disturb sleep cycles, leaving drivers feeling drowsy. When you haven’t had a full night of sleep, your reactions are slower, which means you could find it impossible to brake in time to avoid an accident. In some cases, drowsy driving can impair your performance just as much as being drunk or distracted by a mobile phone.

Daylight Saving Time Increases Dangers of Driving

Some police departments report that road accidents increase by as much as 10 percent following the change of the clocks in spring. Meanwhile, many people report feeling the effects of the missed hour of sleep for up to a week following the time shift. Rather than missing out on sleep and risking your life on the roads, experts advise going to bed an hour early in preparation for the clocks springing forward. For many people, this is the easiest way to fit in an extra hour of sleep and stay safe on the roads.

Daylight Saving Time Could Cost You More Than an Hour of Sleep

If you have an accident as a result of feeling sleepy, the results could be devastating. You could suffer a serious injury and be left facing pain, uncertainty and financially crippling medical bills. If you are unable to work as a result of your accident, you also face the financial burden of lost income, which can be a serious problem for many households. Of course, many drivers also pay the ultimate cost — their life — as a result of driving while drowsy.

Dealing With Daylight Saving Time Accidents

If you have been involved in an auto accident related to daylight saving time, you need to get in touch with attorneys handling auto accident cases right away. A professional attorney can help you handle any legal issues related to your accident, such as claims for personal injury compensation. With years of experience representing local drivers, Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys can help you handle the aftermath of an auto accident, whether or not it was related to daylight saving time.

Staying Safe on the Road

As you prepare to adjust your clocks for daylight saving time, remember that you need to be particularly careful on the roads this week. With many drowsy drivers missing their lost hour of sleep, the roads of Jefferson City, MO can be a dangerous place in the six days following the daylight saving time adjustment. Keep yourself safe by going to bed early, driving slowly and carefully, and pulling over for a nap if you feel sleepy on long journeys. If you follow these tips, you will hopefully avoid needing to contact a car accident attorney during this dangerous week.

If you’ve been in a car accident, hiring an attorney will allow you to deal with all the other matters in life without having to worry about compromising your legal claim. Call the Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys for advice about your auto accident claim today.