Organization shares things drivers should keep in mind over the next week or so
Daylight saving time has begun in Canada, and one safety organization is warning about the negative effects it can have on workers who drive for a living.
According to Road Safety at Work, drivers are among those most affected by the time change.
“Daylight saving means we lose an hour of sleep – and that can lead to drowsiness and slower reactions when driving. A little extra awareness goes a long way,” said Road Safety at Work via Facebook.
Daylight saving kicked in on March 9, with clocks springing forward one hour.
“Even minor fatigue can have major consequences when we’re behind the wheel,” said Trace Acres, program director at the organization, according to BurnabyNow.
“We’re not as alert, we’re slower to react, we don’t judge distance or recognize hazards as well as we usually do, and our decision making is compromised.”
The organization suggests that drivers plan for extra rest during the days leading up to the time change and aim to go to sleep 15 to 20 minutes earlier each night. They also suggest that drivers do the following, which employers can also share with their workers:
- Postpone driving when feeling too fatigued to do it safely.
- Learn to recognize signs of fatigue before it becomes dangerous. Red flags include frequent yawning or blinking, difficulty focusing or staying in your lane, forgetting the last few kilometres driven, and drifting into other lanes or hitting rumble strips. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop driving and rest.
- Drive during peak alertness. Schedule driving tasks during the hours you feel most alert. Avoid driving late at night or early in the morning when fatigue is more likely to strike.
- Take breaks. On long trips, pull over at a safe spot at least every two hours to stretch, hydrate, or rest. Short breaks can help maintain focus.
- Stay hydrated. Keep water in your vehicle and sip regularly throughout your drive. Fatigue can worsen if you’re dehydrated.
Meanwhile, Lindsay Wilkins, media relations advisor the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) said that drivers should be aware of “how your body adapts to the time change and how that may impact your ability to concentrate and react to hazards while driving.”
“Time changes can have an impact on the quality of our sleep due to more nighttime restlessness. While you may feel fine, your circadian rhythm can still be significantly disrupted, affecting your alertness while driving,” she told the Daily Hive.
