Some people might be enjoying their extra hour of sleep at this time of the year. But then people might as well spend an extra amount of time thinking of their safety on the road as more people are said to be killed by this time of the year.
More pedestrians are killed by cars during daylight saving time changes than at any other time of year, according to data from experts nationwide. This year, the fall time change occurs on Nov. 6.
In New York City, 40 percent of pedestrians killed in car accidents last year were hit between October and December, when nights get dark earlier and make it harder for drivers to see people on the street, according to NY1 News.
Of course, this phenomenon isn't only in NYC. Studies suggest it runs nationwide.
The loss of an hour of afternoon sunlight when it ends-as it does this weekend-may increase the likelihood of traffic accidents.
"Darkness kills and sunlight saves lives," said University of Washington Law Professor Steve Calandrillo, who has studied the effectiveness of different DST policies.
For Calandrillo, who advocates for DST to be implemented throughout the year, the answer is simple: more people are active during the evening, including kids, and the additional sunlight that DST provides helps provide drivers with the visibility necessary to see pedestrians.
According to a 2004 study in Accident Analysis and Prevention, adding an hour of sunlight in the evening year-round would save the lives of more than 170 pedestrians annually.
Both advocates and opponents of DST can agree, however, that better light equals greater safety - which is why some child safety advocates say that communities need to focus on providing better artificial street lighting, regardless of whether it's used in the morning or evening.
In the end, no matter what time of the day or year it is, everyone should always be cautious in the streets.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
