As Daylight Saving Time Ends, Suffolk Police Launch Safe Driving Campaign To Prevent Historical Increase Of Crashes
YAPHANK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The end of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday means increased driving dangers, so Suffolk police are rolling out a highway enforcement campaign to promote safe driving.
Rolling back the clocks brings shorter daylight hours and an increase of traffic injuries and fatalities, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported Friday.
"I'm not happy about it getting so dark," one person said.
"You leave the office at 5:00... and it's dark!" said another.
Early evening commutes on dark and dim roadways pose dangers for drivers, passengers, schoolchildren, joggers, pedestrians and cyclists.
"November is the most dangerous month for pedestrian knockdowns in Nassau and Suffolk," said Robert Sinclair from AAA Northeast.
There's a marked uptick in the number of motor vehicle crashes in the two weeks following the end of Daylight Saving.
"Historically, we do see an uptick in motor vehicle crashes when Daylight Saving Time ends because, as you can imagine, people that normally commute home from work during the daylight suddenly are plunged into doing it in darkness, and it does take an adjustment period," said Acting Commissioner Stuart Cameron.
Experts said setting clocks back, even just one hour, disrupts the body's internal clock, affecting quality of driving, concentration, alertness behind the wheel and reaction to potential hazards.
"Statistics have shown that drowsy driving is almost or is as dangerous as impaired driving and drunk driving," said Deputy Inspector David Regina.
So slow down, turn on your headlights, keep car windows clean and clear, and yield to pedestrians.
"When you're used to commuting, it makes it very difficult and the time change really whacks out the body," said Linda Leckenbusch of Cooperstown.
"Twice a year, time change can have huge effects on our mental and our physical health," said Dr. Nidhi Kumar, a professor at Rutgers Medical School.
Dr. Kumar said our circadian rhythm is disrupted, suppressing hormones of melatonin and serotonin.
"So, it's kind of the perfect storm of being a little sadder and a little sleepier with just that one hour loss of daylight," Dr. Kumar said.
Watch diet and exercise over the next week, she said. And get out during the day when the sun is shining.
