Every March, most Americans welcome the switch to daylight saving time because of the longer days, but also hate losing an hour of sleep after they move their clocks forward. Studies have shown that losing just an hour of sleep can pose some dangerous consequences. In fact, the rate of heart attacks jumps by 25% on the Monday following DST; correspondingly, the rate of heart attacks drops by 21% each fall the Monday after daylight savings ends.
For those on the road … on average, 3.6 more injuries occurred on the Monday following the switch to daylight saving time compared to other days, and 2,649 more days of work were lost as a result of those injuries. That’s approximately a 68% increase in lost workdays.
How do you prepare? It can be as simple as waking up earlier by 15-minute intervals in the days leading up to Sunday’s change. Being prepared is important, especially to be alert for driving. Even one hour of sleep loss can affect some people.
Daylight Savings Time begins March 14, 2021. Remember to “spring forward.” But, be extra aware of your driving – and those around you – for the first few days after. Caution always pays.