As we get ready to set our clocks back an hour this Saturday night for the end of Daylight Savings Time, ICBC is asking drivers to take extra care on the roads as the time change can affect us all in different ways.
ICBC statistics show there is a 16 per cent increase in the average number of crashes in B.C. during the late afternoon commute in the two weeks following the end of Daylight Savings Time compared to the two weeks prior to the change.
The biggest impacts can be felt on some of the key skills that affect the quality of our driving – concentration, alertness behind the wheel and reaction time to potential hazards.
“Safety is our top priority, which is why we’re asking drivers to recognize that the effect of the time change combined with increasingly challenging road conditions can increase your chances of being in a crash,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Make sure you’re well rested, give yourself plenty of time and focus your full attention on the road.”
“Getting enough sleep is important to driving safely because being tired behind the wheel can be dangerous,” said Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice.