End of Daylight Saving Time increases danger for pedestrians on Virginia roadways

On Sunday morning at 2 a.m., Daylight Saving Time will come to an end as we set our clocks back one hour.

With dusk arriving an hour sooner, driving in darker conditions can increase the risk of vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Drivers should prepare to adapt to the time change and the risks it brings. One of the biggest adjustments with the end of Daylight Saving Time will involve less visibility during the evening rush hour, so motorists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users should be extra attentive. Other risks include fatigue that can contribute to drowsy driving and compromised night vision, especially for older drivers.

About half of all traffic fatalities happen at night, according to the Federal Highway Administration, although only about 1/4 of travel occurs after dark. Dangerous nighttime driving also disproportionately affects pedestrians. In Virginia, more than 75 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred at night in 2023, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Seeing and being seen are critical at night for motorists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

Night driving is dangerous because visibility is limited to about 250 feet for normal headlights, which creates less time to react to something in the road, especially when driving at higher speeds. The Virginia Department of Transportation encourages drivers to follow safety tips for driving in the dark:

• Aim your headlights correctly, and make sure they’re clean.
• Dim your dashboard.
• Look away from oncoming lights.
• Clean the windshield to eliminate streaks.
• Slow down to compensate for limited visibility and reduced stopping time.

For vulnerable road users:

• Be predictable, follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
• Wear reflective clothing and carry a blinking light or flashlight.
• Plan a route in a well-lit area with safe crossings.
• Avoid distractions, alcohol and drugs, and be alert.
• Walk on sidewalks facing traffic. If no sidewalk exists, walk facing traffic as far from traffic as possible.
• Watch for cars backing up, especially in parking lots and driveways.
• Cross at crosswalks or intersections – where drivers expect pedestrians. While crossing, look for cars in all directions, including turning left or right, and make eye contact with turning drivers before proceeding when possible.