Spring Forward – Increased Danger on the Roads!

AAA: Return to Daylight Saving Time Increases Morning Commute Dangers

“Springing forward” can lead to driver drowsiness

• Rest Up. Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. If you do begin to feel drowsy while driving, pull over immediately and rest, or call a family member or friend for assistance.
• Be prepared for morning/afternoon sun glare. Sun glare in the morning or early evening can cause temporary blindness. To reduce the glare, AAA recommends wearing high-quality sunglasses and adjusting the car’s sun visors as needed. Use of the night setting on rearview mirrors can reduce glare from headlights approaching from the rear.
• Car Care. Keep headlights, tail lights, signal lights, and windows (inside and out) clean.
• Ensure headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce visibility.
• Dim headlights. Keep headlights on low beams when following another vehicle, so other drivers are not blinded.
• Reduce your speed and increase your following distances. It is more difficult to judge other vehicles’ speeds and distances at night.
• Be mindful of pedestrians and crosswalks. Yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks and do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.

AAA Tips for Pedestrians

• Cross at intersections or crosswalks. Do not cross in the middle of the street or between parked cars. Do not jaywalk.
• Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic. Before you step out into the street, pause to check for nearness and speed of nearby vehicles.
• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing. If you are walking near traffic at dawn, dusk or nighttime, avoid dark clothing or outerwear, which reduces your visibility to oncoming cars. Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.
• Use extra caution in inclement weather. Allow extra time and distance for a vehicle to stop in rainy, snowy or icy weather.
• Avoid distractions. While walking, pocket the cell phone and avoid listening to music at a volume that prohibits you from hearing approaching danger.
• Keep a clear field of vision. Do not let umbrellas, hats or hoods block your view of approaching traffic.

Additional information on drowsy driving and how motorists can recognize the symptoms may be found at https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/drowsy-driving/