While the end of daylight saving time brings an extra hour of sleep, adjustments in sleep schedules combined with darker evening commutes can lead to drowsiness behind the wheel — and result in more traffic crashes.
After the clocks “fall back” at the beginning of November, 5 to 6 p.m. becomes an increasingly dangerous time, according to a AAA Northeast analysis of crash data available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.
Data from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository shows that from 2020 to 2024, there was a 35% increase statewide in crashes in the 5 p.m. hour during the month of November (4,555) compared to the month of October (3,370). For pedestrians, the danger is especially alarming. During the same five-year period, there was a 147% increase in pedestrian crashes in the 5 p.m. hour in November (106) compared to October (43).
According to a AAA Northeast analysis of data from the MassDOT Crash Data Portal, in 2024, there was a 37% increase in crashes in the 5 p.m. hour from October to November. For pedestrians, the risk increases even more dramatically: There were double the number of pedestrian crashes in the 5 p.m. hour in November than October.
AAA Northeast’s analysis of NY DMV data reveals that in 2023, there was a 73% increase in crashes in the 5 p.m. hour from October to November. For pedestrians, the risk increases even more dramatically: There were 98% more pedestrian crashes in the 5 p.m. hour in November than October.
New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety preliminary data from Numetric indicates that in 2024, there was a 35% increase in crashes in the 5 p.m. hour from October to November. For pedestrians, the risk increases even more dramatically: There were 58% more pedestrian crashes in the 5 p.m. hour in November than October.
AAA research indicates that drowsy driving is a serious traffic issue — in part because many drivers fail to realize when they’re in danger of falling asleep. During a simulated nighttime driving experiment, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 75% of participants who rated their level of drowsiness as low were, in fact, moderately or highly drowsy.
“As it starts to get darker earlier in the coming days, the end of daylight saving time may also alter our sleep cycles,” said Mark Schieldrop, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “To ensure a safe evening commute as we adjust to the time change, it’s crucial to be well-rested and extra vigilant behind the wheel.”
AAA offers the following tips as drivers adjust to darker conditions:
- Ensure lights are in good working order. Headlights can show signs of deterioration after just three years. Check for yellowing, clouding and other changes in appearance. Replacement and restoration services are available at most repair shops, including AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facilities.
- Keep your windshield clean. Make sure your wiper blades aren’t leaving streaks and that you have enough wiper fluid.
- Decrease your speed to compensate for reduced visibility. Increase your following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you — and more time if you’re behind a motorcycle or if weather conditions are poor.
- Turn slowly at intersections, particularly in areas with poor street lighting or where pedestrians are likely to be present. Slow your speed to 5 mph when you turn and don’t try to speed through a yellow light and turn at the same time.
- Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams. If a driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the white edge line; stay on course until the vehicle passes.
- Keep your eyes moving. Don’t just focus on the middle of an area illuminated by your headlights — watch for flashes of light that might indicate the presence of another vehicle on top of hills, around curves and at intersections.
- Beware of glare. The time change means that sun glare may affect commuters at earlier hours. Use your sun visor, invest in polarized sunglasses and leave extra room between you and the car in front of you when the sun is in your eyes.
- Prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road. If you’re fighting to stay awake following the time change, pull over to a safe location, lock your doors and take a quick nap.
Mark Schieldrop is a senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast. Based in Rhode Island, Mark is regularly interviewed on topics ranging from travel to traffic safety and is also a certified child passenger safety technician.
