The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation is warning the public to be extra cautious when making their morning commute Monday - a day after clocks are moved forward for the change to daylight savings time.
According to B.C. accident statistics, 23% more collisions take place on the Monday after the time change than in the previous week.
Many of the collisions are sleep-related, said ICBC, and range from a car hitting a pedestrian at an intersection to rear-ending another vehicle. Veering off the road and into parked cars or telephone poles is also common, according to a media release from the insurance corporation.
"Sleep is what the body really needs to be able to function properly," said Lennea Durant of the BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation. "Time changes reflect a change in social clocks, not biological ones, and studies show that our circadian rhythms [body clocks] don't adjust to these changes naturally."
Fatigue can impair the brain's function as much as drugs or alcohol, she said, reducing the ability of the mind and body to respond quickly and accurately.
The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation recommends drivers:
avoid caffeine or other stimulants because when they wear off they can make drivers even more fatigued;
keep their headlights on during the darker morning commute for better visibility;
and be aware of the increased number of people out walking in the evenings taking advantage of the extra daylight, especially in residential areas.
For more information about road safety, go to www.bcaatsf.ca.
