Time change this weekend: Caution urged for driving

Clocks spring forward one hour this weekend, and motorists are reminded to be prepared for the time change.

The Road Safety at Work advocacy group said Daylight Savings Time taking effect Sunday, March 10, can disrupt sleep patterns, resulting in fatigued drivers getting behind the wheel.

“Fatigue is a type of impairment that reduces a driver’s ability to notice, process, and correctly respond to hazards,” Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work, stated.

“It’s a contributing factor in many crashes.”

ICBC data shows fatigue is a factor in an average of 17 fatal accidents in the Southern Interior, and approximately 48 fatal collisions in the province, each year.

The group warns that fatigued drivers are less able to judge distance, speed and time, and are more likely to forget or ignore normal safety routines, noting that’s especially dangerous in poor weather or road conditions and in construction areas.

“Reacting even a fraction of a second slower can result in a serious, costly crash,” Acres said.

Road Safety at Work advises people prepare for the time change by going to bed early the night before, and to be more cautious on the road the following morning, noting other drivers and pedestrians may also be affected by the time change.

It also advises people schedule their driving for times when they’re less likely to be tired, break up long drives with rest stops, and stay hydrated and keep energy levels up when behind the wheel.