Every spring and fall, most Americans change their clocks for Daylight Saving Time. While that 1-hour shift may seem like a minor adjustment, research shows it can have a serious impact on road safety. Losing even an hour of sleep can throw off your body’s internal clock, slow reaction times, and increase the risk of accidents. This is especially true in the days immediately following the change. Our experienced car accident attorneys lay out the risks of drowsy driving due to Daylight Saving Time.
The Link Between Sleep Loss and Car Accidents
Sleep deprivation is one of the most dangerous and under-recognized causes of car crashes in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving led to more than 600 deaths in 2023 alone. Unlike drunk driving, fatigue does not leave an obvious trace, but its effects on a driver are similar. Even moderate sleep loss can impair coordination, focus, and the driver’s ability to make good decisions while behind the wheel.
Daylight Saving Time disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, which is the internal clock that regulates sleep. When we “spring forward,” most people lose an hour of sleep. That small loss can feel equivalent to staying up an hour later than usual every night for a week. For drivers who already struggle with sleep schedules, the impact can be even greater.
While a study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) concludes that Daylight Saving Time does not have a large-scale impact on accidents due to fatigue, it does recognize that drivers who are sensitive to circadian rhythm disruptions are far more likely to be in an accident during this time.
Why the Spring Time Change Is Especially Risky
While time changes in the spring and the fall can affect driving, the spring shift is the most dangerous. That is because “springing forward” reduces total sleep time and often forces drivers to commute in lower light conditions.
Losing an hour of sleep reduces concentration and slows reflexes, especially in early morning hours when the body is naturally less alert. The change can also make the morning commute darker, which means reduced visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The combination of fatigue and low light conditions creates a perfect storm for accidents.
In contrast, the fall time change generally provides an extra hour of sleep, though it introduces other risks like earlier sunsets and more nighttime driving.
Who Is Most at Risk of Drowsy Driving?
Anyone can experience fatigue behind the wheel, but certain groups are more vulnerable to drowsy driving — especially during Daylight Saving Time transitions. These include:
- Shift workers
- Young drivers
- Commercial drivers
- People with sleep disorders
- Parents of young children
While these groups are more sensitive to fatigue, the reality is that any driver could find themselves driving while drowsy under certain conditions.
Recognizing the Signs of Drowsy Driving
One of the biggest dangers of fatigue is that drivers often do not realize how impaired they are. Warning signs of drowsy driving include frequent yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting between lanes, missing traffic signs, or having no memory of the last few miles driven. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should pull over safely and rest before continuing your trip.
How to Stay Safe on the Road During Daylight Saving Time
Preparation is the best defense against fatigue‑related crashes. Here are some practical ways to stay safe after the time change:
- Prioritize rest. Try to go to bed 15–30 minutes earlier in the days leading up to the time change. Gradually adjusting your sleep schedule helps your body adapt more easily.
- Avoid long drives right after the switch. If possible, postpone long trips or early‑morning drives for a few days. Give your body time to adjust before tackling long distances.
- Use caution during morning commutes. With darker mornings in spring, be especially careful around school zones, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Reduced visibility and slower reflexes make this period particularly risky.
- Limit stimulants. Caffeine can temporarily boost alertness, but it is not a substitute for proper rest. Avoid relying on excessive caffeine or energy drinks to stay awake.
- Take breaks. On longer drives, stop every couple of hours to stretch, hydrate, and rest your eyes. Even a short break can improve alertness and reaction times.
Legal Implications of Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving accidents can have serious legal and financial consequences. A driver who causes a crash due to fatigue may be held liable for damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In severe cases — such as when drowsy driving leads to death or catastrophic injury — civil lawsuits may follow.
For victims, proving that fatigue caused the crash can be challenging, but experienced personal injury attorneys know how to investigate these cases. They may use witness statements, time logs, surveillance footage, and expert testimony to show that the at‑fault driver was overtired or fell asleep at the wheel.
Dealing with the Aftermath of an Accident
Despite your best efforts, it may be impossible to avoid a collision with a fatigued driver. In these situations, our team of car accident lawyers are here to help you pursue the justice you deserve.
Let our firm assist you in securing the compensation you deserve. Contact Nurenberg Paris right away for a confidential consultation.
