5 Safe Driving Tips to Follow When Daylight Savings Ends
We're over a month into the fall season which can only mean its near the end of Daylight Savings time. The extra sleep is something we welcome when we turn back our clocks, however the hour difference can have negative effects on your road safety.
When sleeping schedules are interrupted it can have an effect on our body and mind and can make us more susceptible for getting into a car accident. Studies have found that car crashes increased not only at the start of DST but also with the hour time change in the fall.
So as we 'fall back' this Sunday to get ready for the winter here are a few things we recommend you do to keep yourself safe on the road when the time changes:
GET ENOUGH REST - the change of time can impact the quality of your sleep, you do not want to drive when you are sleepy or drowsy, so stick to your regular sleep schedule so you can benefit from the extra hour you'll gain.
MAKE SURE ALL YOUR CAR LIGHTS ARE WORKING - lights require periodic inspection and replacement due to normal wear, replace any broken bulbs ASAP.
Check the following:
- Headlights (low beam / high beam)
- Brake lights
- Fog lights
- Signal lights
if one light is significantly dimmer than the other one it is recommended that you change both lights at the same times, even if only one light needs to be replaced. When you replace just one failed bulb, it can result in an unbalanced or unpredictable headlight beam, which presents a potential safety risk.
DRIVE CAREFULLY - be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get where you want to go, slow down when driving, always leave extra space between you and the car in front of you, don't forget decreased visibility during the evening commute can affect your depth perception and increase the chances for a car accident. Also when approaching crosswalks and intersections drive with caution as it will be harder to see pedestrians and cyclists when visibility is reduced in the evening.
GET YOUR CAR READY FOR DARKER DRIVING CONDITIONS - in addition to inspecting all your lights, check that your windshield wipers are working. Visibility is fundamental to safe driving and your wiper blades play a critical role in that, top off on wiper fluid and replace the blades every 6 months.
DON'T SKIP OUT ON REGULAR CAR MAINTENANCE - when you have your car tires, wiper blades, brakes, and other components regularly inspected including keeping up with tune ups like oil changes and replacing old filters you can ensure your car is safe and reliable to drive in any condition.
With darker days and winter right around the corner, now is the right time to make sure your car is ready for the daily commute, schedule an appointment online or if you have any questions feel free to give us a call, our dedicated staff is always here to help you!
310-323-1824
