Daylight saving time ends this Sunday (November 3) at 2 am ET, when Americans will turn their clocks back one hour to what’s conventionally considered “standard time.”
While many will enjoy an extra hour of sleep, officials with Triple-A remind both drivers and pedestrians that the earlier sunsets and darkness can lead to an increase of accidents on the roads.
Both motorists and pedestrians are advised to be vigilant about safety on the roads as they adjust to the annual time change.
To help with the effort, Triple-A has offered their own tips for staying safe:
- Always watch out for pedestrians when backing up in parking lots or driveways. Turn on your headlights to
make yourself more visible.
- Leave more following room. In the morning, when the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see what the car
ahead is doing. Use sunglasses and your sun visor.
- Be mindful of children and others who are outdoors in the afternoon and evening as it gets dark earlier.
- Remember to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.
- Pay attention and eliminate all distractions including cell phones and car clocks that are off by an hour.
- Cross only at intersections or crosswalks. Look left, right and left again and only cross when it is clear. Do not
jaywalk or cross between parked cars.
- Evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic before you step out into the street.
- Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does
not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
- See and be seen. Carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing and/or accessories.
- While walking, pocket the cell phone and avoid listening to headphones at a volume that prohibits you from
hearing approaching danger.
Daylight saving time begins once again on March 8, 2020.