Daylight Saving Time and Car Accidents

Each fall, Americans set their clocks back one hour as daylight saving time ends. While the change may seem like a minor adjustment, research consistently shows a troubling trend: car accidents spike in the days and weeks that follow a time change. The sudden shift in daylight and disruption to our sleep cycles can create dangerous driving conditions, especially during evening commutes.

Each year, families are left dealing with the aftermath of crashes tied to the time change. Knowing the risks and what to do in the event of injury is essential.

Why Do Car Accidents Increase After Daylight Saving Ends?

Studies have long documented a link between daylight saving time (DST) transitions and an increase in motor vehicle accidents. Research shows:

Overall crashes rise: A study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention found that road accidents jumped 16% on the first day of DST and another 12% on the second day after clocks changed.
Fatal crashes rise: A 2020 study in Current Biology reported a 6% increase in deadly motor vehicle accidents during the workweek following the springtime change.

The reasons are clear:

Reduced Visibility: The time change shifts more driving hours into dusk or darkness. Evening commutes are particularly hazardous for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Sleep Disruption: Even a one-hour shift can disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to fatigue, slower reaction times, and decreased focus behind the wheel.
Driver Behavior: Drowsy driving, combined with seasonal factors such as wet roads and early darkness, creates conditions similar to alcohol impairment.
High-Risk Scenarios: Pedestrian fatalities and rear-end collisions rise significantly during this period.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Certain groups face greater danger during the fall transition:

Commuters: The evening rush hour becomes darker and more hazardous overnight.
Pedestrians and Cyclists: Drivers are less likely to see people walking or biking in dim light.
Older Drivers: Age-related vision challenges make nighttime driving riskier.
Children and Teens: Walking home from after-school activities or sports in reduced daylight increases exposure to traffic hazards.

The Role of Fatigue

The dangers of drowsy driving are not limited to daylight saving time, but the clock change can amplify them. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers who miss just a few hours of sleep have crash risks comparable to being legally intoxicated.

Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and can make the difference between a near-miss and a serious collision.

Legal Considerations After a Daylight Saving Time Accident

It’s important to remember: a time change is not an excuse for negligence. Drivers still have a duty to operate safely under the conditions. That includes:

Slowing down in poor visibility.
Using headlights appropriately.
Remaining alert to pedestrians and cyclists.
Avoiding drowsy or distracted driving.

When a driver fails to take reasonable precautions and causes harm, they may be held legally responsible for resulting injuries or fatalities.

What Victims Should Know About Their Rights

If you are injured in a car accident during the fall transition — whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist — you may have the right to compensation for:

Medical expenses and rehabilitation
Lost income and future earning potential
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

An experienced car accident attorney can investigate whether fatigue, inattention, or other forms of negligence played a role in the crash.

A Broader Debate

The seasonal clock changes have sparked ongoing debate in Congress and among public health experts. Some advocate for permanent daylight saving time, others for permanent standard time. What most agree on is that eliminating the twice-yearly clock change could help reduce preventable accidents and improve public safety.

Regardless of how lawmakers decide, one fact remains unchanged: every driver has a duty to adjust to conditions and avoid putting others at risk.

How Hilliard Law Can Help

At Hilliard Law, we have represented numerous families whose lives were changed by preventable car accidents. Our attorneys know how to investigate complex crash cases, hold negligent drivers accountable, and fight for full and fair compensation.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident during the daylight saving transition, or at any other time, our team is here to help.

Call (866) 927-3420 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.