Avoid A New Haven Auto Accident As A Result Of Daylight Savings Time Ending

Who among us doesn’t want an extra hour of sleep? Certainly the end of daylight savings time is a welcome sight for many who already feel sleep deprived, but did you know that there are some things you should watch out for when this change in the clocks happens so you can avoid a New Haven auto accident and make sure you are safe?

The truth of the matter is that when the clocks “fall back” there are changes that happen in your biological clock too which can make it harder for you to follow your normal routine. In fact, most of us have to adjust our normal routine to account for the change in the time and how we get ready for our day and end our day, especially if these days include long commutes to work. If you’re thinking that you can just flip the clocks back an hour and not be affected you may be among the very few who can do that because for most people this requires an adjustment.

When you turn your clocks back there are some initial steps you can take to make sure that you are not feeling the effects of this change. For one, you can make sure you stick with your evening routine. If you already have a good routine, you shouldn’t change it, with only the small exception of moving it ahead an hour, if you feel that will help. You should also continue to get the same amount of sleep that you need normally. Just because the clocks have changed doesn’t mean you should change the amount of time you’re sleeping. You may also want to adjust the times that you eat and exercise as these may impact how easily you’ll be able to fall asleep. If you’re changing your sleeping patterns, you may need to adjust when you eat before bed and if/when you exercise before bed so you can get the most out of your time sleeping.

Once you wake up, the day after we move our clocks back one hour, you may find that you’re feeling a little uneasiness about getting behind the wheel of your car. You may have experienced a change in your sleep routine and that could affect your safety behind the wheel. Here are some things to be on the lookout for when you’re driving.

1.) Disruption to your sleep. The time change will have differing effects on different people. Some people may find that the change has almost no effect on how they sleep while others may find it incredibly disruptive to their sleeping patterns. If you’re the type of person who finds the change to be disruptive you may need to approach your morning and even evening commutes with caution. If you are sleep deprived you may find yourself struggling to be alert when driving. If this is the case you should take the time to pull over to a safe place along the side of the road and take a brief nap. Racing home and trying to “fight through” the sleep deprivation is not worth the added danger you may face from driving drowsy.

2.) Your visibility may decrease. When the clocks roll back one hour the timing of the daylight on your commute will most certainly change. The days get shorter and therefore you may be driving in the dark after the change as opposed to just last week when your commute home was in the light of day. If you’re someone who struggles with driving at night you may consider working with your boss to adjust your hours so you can still make it home in the daylight. This may also occur on your morning commute as well. You will need to adjust to the changes in the daylight during your commute so you can get to and from work safely and without any concerns about getting into an accident.

3.) Seasonal changes are also coming. When the clocks fall back that comes around the same time of the year as the colder weather and with less sun on the roads this could mean reduced visibility, more treacherous roads and more debris on the roads as you pass through. If this is the case you will want to make sure that you are taking your commute a little more slowly then you otherwise would and leave extra time to be able to traverse the roads in a safe way.

For some, having Daylight Savings Time come to an end can really impact their ability to drive safely and avoid a New Haven auto accident. Even if you are unsure about the impacts that this change will have on you, you should be aware of the change and understand how it will impact your day to day commute. You may be able to just roll with it and get to and from work with no problem, but if you find yourself drowsy while you’re driving or finding it harder to see the road in front of you, due to reduced visibility, you may want to make some adjustments to your day to day commute. This will not only allow you to lower the stress level of your commute, but to also take your safety into account.

When an accident occurs it can impact an entire family or group of co-workers. If you are injured, you may need to speak with an attorney who has experience with your type of situation. Contact our office and one of our attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.