Why Daylight Saving Time May Increase Traffic Accidents Plus Car Safety Features That Help

Here's why daylight saving time may lead to more accidents and the car safety features that could help protect you from a timeskip-related accident.

Elliot Rieth | 

Feb 27, 2026 | 3 min read

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If you've ever felt particularly tired after "springing forward" for daylight saving time (DST), you're not alone. Less sleep and a darker commute increase your risk of getting into a fatal car accident, according to research from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and the University of Colorado Boulder.

To help you stay safe and aware on the road, we've compiled some insights from these studies, along with recommendations on which car features can help protect you from a timeskip-related accident.

How Daylight Saving Time May Increase Car Accidents

The IIHS report, published in the Journal of Public Safety, studied drivers during the weeks before and after time changes from 2010 to 2019 and concluded that the spring change results in a 12% increase in fatal crashes. Research from the University of Colorado Boulder, published in Current Biology, also found that the risk of fatal accidents associated with DST is highest in the morning, and locations farther west in a time zone appear to be more affected by the spring transition.

The phenomenon appears to be related to two key factors:

• Visibility due to light changes. During daylight saving time, morning commutes become darker than before the springtime skip, making it harder for drivers to see.
• Sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm misalignment. Spring DST eliminates one hour from a driver's typical night of sleep. Sleep deprivation and visibility impairment reduce a driver's ability to operate their vehicle safely. These changes in physical awareness make the roads more dangerous for drivers, along with cyclists and pedestrians. 

By comparison, the IIHS found that the fall time change resulted in a 7.1% decrease in fatal accidents, since drivers receive an extra hour of sleep and it's lighter out when they hit the road.

As a result, drivers can take advantage of car safety features many newer cars offer as they look to avoid accidents during their morning commutes.

Car Safety Features That Help Keep You Safe

Depending on your car, driver assistance technologies can help you avoid accidents. These can include features like:

• Lane-changing assist technology
• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision warnings
• 360-degree cameras
• Pedestrian detection
• Blind spot monitoring
• Adaptive headlights
• Adaptive cruise control

While these technologies are helpful for keeping you safe, remember that they are not meant to replace your vision, blind spots or mental judgment. If you're experiencing drowsiness or impaired vision, it’s best to avoid endangering yourself or others by pulling off the road or avoiding the drive all together.

Tips for Staying Safe on the Road

Car safety features can help, but the best way to stay safe on the road during DST is to prepare. According to AAA, when it's time to turn the clock forward, use these tactics:

• Identify the symptoms of drowsy driving, such as trouble keeping your eyes open or inability to recall the last few miles you've driven
• Stay vigilant around school areas during darker mornings
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid driving distractions like your cell phone
• Obey speed limits
• Wear your seat belt

By combining awareness and advanced driving technology, you can better navigate daylight saving time changes that can temporarily affect your driving experience.

Elliot Rieth

Born and raised in Michigan — the center of the American automotive industry — Elliot's fate of becoming a writer in the automotive space was seemingly predetermined. In addition to covering cars and personal finance for Capital One, he's worked directly with dealers and OEMs to create digital content meant to educate consumers. He's also passionate about music and has written for outlets like In Review Online. When he isn't writing about the latest financial, automotive, and insurance trends, he can be found enjoying a new book or record alongside his two greyhounds.