AAA is sending out a Michigan statewide SPRING FORWARD SAFETY ALERT urging drivers to use extra caution during this first week of Daylight Saving Time (DST). Drowsy driving is a significant traffic safety issue. Michigan residents ‘springing forward’ need to adjust their sleep schedule to prevent drowsiness on the road.
“The time change impacts daylight hours and sleep patterns, raising the risk of drowsy driving, which can contribute to a dangerous crash,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group. “Even though it is only a one-hour difference, people may experience what feels like a mini-jetlag, which can take time to fully adjust to.”
Common symptoms of drowsy driving include:
- Trouble keeping eyes open
- Trouble keeping your head up
- Drifting from your lane
- Cannot recall last few miles driven
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Daydreaming or wandering thoughts
“It is also important to pay extra attention near schools, particularly in the mornings,” Woodland continued. “Moving clocks forward one-hour means it will stay dark later into the morning, when children will be on their way to school.”
A 20-year study that analyzed over 732,000 car crashes, found a 6% increase in fatal crashes during the week following the switch to Daylight Saving Time.
