The backup routine we do every year at this time of year comes with more than just an extra hour of sleep.

The American Automobile Association warns that with the end of daylight saving time, the risk of accidents on the roads increases due to limited visibility and drowsiness impacting driver behavior.

In preparation for Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, November 3-9, AAA encourages motorists to be more aware of the increased likelihood of this potential due to altered sleep patterns and visibility reduced caused by diurnal changes.

Drivers are also urged to make sure their eyes and prescription glasses are ready for the darker winter months.

Citing research from its Highway Safety Foundation, AAA said about 17.6% of all fatal crashes from 2017 to 2021 involved a drowsy driver. During these five years, an estimated 29,800 people died in accidents involving a person presenting this alert state.

“While many will benefit from an extra hour of sleep…drivers may not realize the additional dangers that result from a time change,” said Tracy Noble, a spokeswoman for the AAA Club Alliance. “This one-hour shift in the fall not only creates darker driving conditions, but it can also interrupt sleep patterns, potentially leading to episodes of drowsy driving.”

According to AAA, symptoms of drowsy driving may be obvious, including difficulty keeping your eyes open, drifting from lane to lane, or not remembering previously driven miles, but more than half of drivers involved in fatigue-related accidents showed no symptoms before falling asleep behind. the wheel.

Citing its Highway Safety Foundation’s 2020 Traffic Safety Culture Index, AAA says data shows 95% of motorists identify drowsy driving as very or extremely dangerous. However, despite high rates of danger perception and disapproval of drowsy driving, about 17% admit to having been so tired that they had trouble keeping their eyes open at least once in the past month.

A study from the AAA Foundation indicates that drivers who have slept less than five hours have a crash risk comparable to that of drunk drivers, while drivers who miss one to two hours of sleep almost double their crash risk.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said there were 684 deaths nationwide due to crashes related to drowsy driving in 2021, because tired and less focused drivers are at higher risk of being distracted.

To avoid drowsy driving, AAA advises getting at least seven hours of sleep each night, traveling at times of day when you are normally awake, and avoiding heavy foods and medications that cause drowsiness or drowsiness. other disorders.

Additionally, on longer trips, plan for a break every two hours or 100 miles and travel with an alert passenger. Take turns driving or stopping at a rest area and take a short nap if necessary – at least 20 minutes and no more than 30 minutes of sleep – to make sure you’re alert on the road.

At night, AAA recommends that motorists reduce speed and increase following distances because it is more difficult to judge the speed and distances of other vehicles. Drivers should also use their headlights at dawn and dusk to see better and appear more visible to other drivers.

It is also essential to ensure that headlights and taillights work properly and are properly aligned. If not aimed correctly, headlights can blind other drivers and reduce your own ability to see the road. AAA reminds drivers to keep their headlights on low beam when following another vehicle so as not to hit the driver in front of you.

AAA reports that first responders, construction workers and people stranded by a vehicle breakdown on the side of the road can become victims of distracted drivers. Nearly 2,000 people were killed outside the vehicle in road crashes between 2017 and 2021, and nearly 1,500 – the vast majority – of these deaths occurred after dark.

“This data is extremely troubling, especially as we approach the darkest days of the year, and reminds drivers to slow down and move over when they see first responders, tow truck drivers and others with injuries. flashing emergency lights on the side of the road,’” AAA’s Noble said.

Pedestrians also become more vulnerable when the sun sets earlier. AAA says that in 2021, 76% of pedestrian deaths in crashes occurred when it was dark, and an additional 4% occurred at dusk or sunset.

“Pedestrians also need to be aware that motorists don’t always see them at night or in the morning and late afternoon as drivers struggle with the sun’s glare,” Noble said. “Pedestrians should do their part by wearing bright colors and crossing at intersections or turns, which increases their visibility to motorists.

While all of these precautions are common sense, the aforementioned statistics are why they continue to serve as a reminder every year.