AAA Cautions Pedestrians and Drivers:

Sunday’s “Spring Forward” means Monday morning’s commute 

to work and school will be in darkness.

March 9, 2017 – One of the most anticipated “signs of spring” arrives this weekend when the clocks “spring forward” (Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, March 11), losing an hour of morning daylight in exchange for the extended daylight hour we enjoy in the evening.  However, come Monday morning, the commute will take on a new look for school students waiting for buses and walking or biking to school and for motorists driving to work – in the dark.

“We’ll see a dramatic difference during our morning commute this Monday. Roadways will remain darker longer, causing concern for pedestrians,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokesperson for AAA South Dakota. “Motorists and pedestrians need to be aware of these dangers, remain alert, and minimize distractions to reduce the risk of motor vehicle crashes.”

Losing an hour of sleep can also increase a motorist’s risk of drowsy driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 35 percent of U.S. drivers sleep less than the recommended minimum of seven hours daily. In a recent related AAA Foundation survey, nearly all drivers (96 percent) say they view drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety and a completely unacceptable behavior. However, 29 percent admitted to driving when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open at some point in the past month.

 “A change in time can mean that drivers are more tired than they realize,” said Buskohl. “AAA warns that drivers who miss between one to two hours of the recommended seven hours of sleep in a 24-hour period nearly double their risk for a crash.”

The auto club offers motorists and pedestrians the following safety tips:

AAA South Dakota’s Tips for Drivers

• Slow down, pay attention and eliminate all distractions.
• Watch out for pedestrians when backing up in parking lots and driveways.
• Sun glare can make it difficult to see so:
• Turn on your headlights to make your vehicle more visible during the early morning and evening hours.
• Keep vehicle headlights and windows clean.
• Watch the high beams. Do not use them when other cars or pedestrians are around.
• Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. Do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.

AAA South Dakota’s Tips for Pedestrians

• Cross at intersections or crosswalks – not in the middle of the street or between parked cars. 
• Avoid walking in traffic where there are no sidewalks or crosswalks. If you have to walk on a road that does not have sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Evaluate the distance and speed of oncoming traffic before you step out into the street.
• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing if you are walking near traffic at dawn, dusk and at night. Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.
• Allow extra time and distance for a vehicle to stop in inclement weather.
• While walking, pocket the cell phone and avoid using headphones at volumes that don’t let you hear what the traffic is doing around you.

Do not let umbrellas or jacket hoods block your view of approaching traffic.