Sunday, missing time to cause 23-hour day

It’s time to change the clocks again this weekend – forward, this time – and since we are likely going to lose some snooze, we may be shuffling around in a bit of a daze for the next week or so. This could mean that we are not quite as alert as usual when we get behind the wheel of a vehicle and there are crash stats to prove it. According to averages in a five-year study (2005-2009) done by ICBC, on the Monday following the springtime change, there were 850 crash incidents, compared to 690 incidents the Monday of the week before, a 23% increase.

The time change usually results in our circadian rhythms (our body clocks) being out of whack for a few days. Combine that condition with the longer hours of daylight, the warm temperatures, more early-morning cyclists, joggers and walkers and you could have a recipe for disaster!

ICBC has 5 suggestions to help with the changeover:

• Try to get to bed earlier so you are more rested when you start out Monday morning. In order to get to sleep faster, exercise during the day and a hot bath or shower before getting between the sheets will help. Take a hot milk drink and a book to bed with you.

• Give yourself an extra few minutes to get where you are going on Monday and for the next few days.

• Slow down and keep a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead and watch for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Use your headlights at all times so you are visible to all other road users. Make sure your headlights are clean and that all bulbs are working properly.

• Set a good example by making smart driving decisions. Those smart decisions can have a significant influence on others.