ICBC urges drivers to plan ahead for Daylight Savings Time

VANCOUVER, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - As we get ready to set back our clocks this Saturday night for the end of Daylight Savings Time (DST), ICBC is reminding everyone to take extra care as the time change can affect us all in different ways.

"Studies show that the end of Daylight Savings Time can have an impact on the quality of our sleep due to more nighttime restlessness," said Dr. John Vavrik, psychologist with ICBC. "The transition out of DST puts us out of sync with our circadian rhythm and this can pose some dangers on our roads."

The biggest impacts can be felt on some of the key skills that affect the quality of our driving - poorer concentration, alertness behind the wheel and reaction time to potential hazards.

"Part of the problem can be that we anticipate getting an extra hour of sleep on this night but we fail to adapt properly because we overcompensate," said Vavrik. "We stay out longer, drive home later, so we actually end up more tired and less alert, particularly at the end of the days following the change when there is suddenly less light."

Preventative steps for the DST time change include planning for extra rest, maintaining regular sleep habits, exercising (even on rainy days) and following a healthy diet.

There are also many other very common affective disorders we should keep in mind at this time of year such as depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Their symptoms can be heightened by change in our sleep patterns.

"The overall message is that whether you're a driver, cyclist or pedestrian, you need to keep your sleep/wake cycle in step with your every day social rhythm," said Vavrik. "Closely monitor your mood in the fall and, particularly, during the DST change. Get some good sleep this weekend and drive smart."

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Media contacts: Adam Grossman, 604-982-1332