As daylight saving time ends, our evening rush hour will be darker. Drivers will be driving more in the dark and as a result, the rate of pedestrian accidents increases. It is important to make sure you concentrate on the driving task and keep scanning for pedestrians as they are harder to see in the dark. As drivers, we need to adjust to the darkening roads quickly as it happens during rush hour when there are more cars and people on the roads.

Here are some tips for safe driving:

• Be well rested when driving. Even though we ‘fall back’ an hour, it can take our bodies time to adjust to the time change. Do not drive drowsy.
• As the sun will be setting earlier, make sure your interior windows are clean. You may need to wipe them down to prevent glare. Also, use sunglasses or your sun visor to help with the setting sun.
• Always drive with your full head lighting system on. This way your vehicle is more visible to other drivers and you can see more clearly as well. Make sure all lights are fully functioning.
• Keep your eyes moving. It is a proactive way to manage any risk that may present itself like a child running onto the road or a pedestrian crossing the road without using a designated crosswalk.
• Maintain a good following distance. Keep space around your vehicle and make sure you are following three to four seconds behind, so you have time to react to hazards.

Remember to drive for the conditions, including earlier sunset times.