This weekend ends Daylight Saving time, so remember to turn back your clocks one hour on Sunday! Daylight Savings Time officially ends at 2 o’clock Sunday morning. With the clock set back, you’ll enjoy an extra hour of sleep. As you change your clock, Fire Departments nationwide remind residents to also change the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. However, the end of Daylight Saving Time can leave people more at risk to falling asleep at the wheel. November 6th through 12th is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a public awareness campaign to educate drivers about sleep safety. Studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 crashes each year.
Warning signs that it’s time to get off the road:
| Yawning repeatedly | Feeling restless, irritable or aggressive |
| Missing exits or traffic signs | Difficulty focusing, frequent blinking and/or heavy eyelids |
| Trouble keeping your head up | Drifting from lane, swerving, tailgating or hitting rumble strips |
| Difficulty keeping daydreams at bay | Inability to clearly remember the last few miles driven |
Motorists should be extra cautious during the first week after turning back the clock. Stats show that there’s an increase in traffic and pedestrian accidents as people adjust to the change. Anyone walking is reminded to be extra careful and wear lighter clothing and something reflective if possible.
