Remember to Spring Forward This Sunday For Daylight Savings

Another good reminder that Spring is approaching is Daylight Savings, which will take effect this Sunday, March 9th at 2am. Clocks will move ahead one hour, which also means you’ll lose one hour of sleep.

AAA says it’s good to keep in mind during Daylight Savings the effects of drowsy driving, the organization says 1 in 5 traffic deaths from a 5-year period were due to drowsy driving. It was estimated in 2021, 6,725 deaths were claimed to be by drowsy driving.

“Difficulty in detecting drowsiness following a crash can lead to underreporting,” explains AAA Driver Training Manager Mike Formanowicz. “Drivers should be aware of drowsy driving symptoms such as having trouble keeping eyes open, drifting from a lane, or not remembering the last few miles driven – these are all signs that a driver should safely pull over to rest.”

Drowsiness, AAA says, can impair motorists in several ways including reduced alertness, impaired judgement, hazardous microsleeps, and your self-perception of drowsiness. Research has shown that drivers often underestimate their drowsiness, posing a risk to other motorists.

The best way to avoid drowsy driving is to ensure you get a full night’s rest of at least 8 hours, travel during times you’re normally awake, taking breaks every 100 miles or every 2-hours of driving, avoiding heavy meals prior, and to listen to your body if you start to feel tired.