Effects of Daylight Savings on the Transportation Industry

Staying Safe during Daylight Savings

Earlier sunsets means sleep disruptions, increased fatigue and changes in light conditions.  All things that can affect drivers on the road. Season changes and daylight savings affect everyone differently. 

What is Daylight Savings Time? 

Daylight Savings Time was first introduced in Germany during World War I in 1916. In 1918, the US adopted Daylight Savings Time. It was a wartime measure to save energy during World War I. By advancing clocks to make better use of the longer daylight during the summer so darkness would fall at a later time. This is where Spring Forward, Fall Back comes from. According to an article from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine… “Based on evidence that shows the switch to daylight saving time carries many health and accident risks and is misaligned with human circadian biology, the position of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is that seasonal time changes should be abolished in favor of permanent standard time” 

How does Daylight Savings Time affect truck drivers? 

Sleep disruptions can affect the amount of restful sleep we get. The sudden shift throws off our body’s internal clock, called circadian rhythm. Sleep deprived drivers pose risk to all drivers on the road. 

Changes in time can affect long haul truck drivers. Scheduling and deadlines are all affected by changes in time. This can create issues when scheduling deliveries, rest breaks, and pickups for drivers and dispatch. Not every state and territory observes DST. Arizona, Hawaii and Puerto Rico do not observe DST. 

Increased fatigue is common with adjusting to the time change during DST. This can compromise driver alertness and reaction times, creating risk for both themselves and other drivers on the roadway.

Tips to combat the effects of Daylight Savings Time

• Adjusting your sleep schedule by 15-20 minutes a few days before the time change can help once DST starts. 
• Going to bed earlier to ensure you get 8 hours of sleep. Keeping your sleep area dark, quiet and comfortable. 
• Keep an eye on your clocks. Some adjust automatically and others will need to be manually changed. 
• Stay healthy. Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and eliminating excessive amounts of caffeine as you get closer to bedtime. 
• Taking walks during breaks to get exercise and fresh air where you can. Finding places to stretch your legs can be beneficial to your overall health. 
• Plan your breaks and routes with the time change in mind. Have an idea of where and when you will need to stop and potential changes with rush hour. 
• Get a daytime lamp. Because our bodies thrive with sunlight, adding a lamp that mimics daylight can be useful for those who want to regulate their circadian rhythms. 

References: 

Celmer, L. (2023, February 28). Sleep experts want to stop “springing forward” to daylight saving time. American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Association for Sleep Clinicians and Researchers. https://aasm.org/sleep-experts-want-to-stop-springing-forward-to-daylight-saving-time/#:~:text=Based%20on%20evidence%20

that%20shows,favor%20of%20permanent%20standard%20time.

Corporate, W. (2024, February 27). Truckers: Tips for staying alert during Daylight saving time. WEX Inc. https://www.wexinc.com/resources/blog/truckers-tips-for-staying-alert-during-daylight-saving-time/