Understanding The Impact Of Daylight Saving Time In South Dakota

If you’re anything like me, your weekends are sacred. Two short days to relax, recharge, and maybe pretend you’re going to get a bunch of projects done. Unfortunately, this is the one weekend every year when our already-too-short break gets trimmed down even more.

That’s right...Daylight Saving Time is back.

Before you head to bed Saturday night, don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour. If you forget, Sunday morning might feel a little confusing. You could find yourself wondering why church started early, why the breakfast menu at your favorite restaurant ended early, or why you missed your airline flight by an hour.

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While the return of Daylight Saving Time means longer evenings and more sunshine, something most of us South Dakotans welcome after a long winter, it does come with a downside.

That missing hour of sleep can lead to something called "Drowsy Driving."

According to Dakota News Now, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found there is a 6% increase in fatal car crashes following the switch to Daylight Saving Time. That one lost hour may not seem like much, but it can throw off people’s sleep schedules and reaction times, especially during the first week after the change.

AAA says drowsy driving is a serious safety concern and offers several tips to help motorists stay alert:

Get at least seven hours of sleep before driving
Travel during times when you’re normally awake
Take breaks every two hours or 100 miles
Avoid heavy meals before hitting the road
If you start feeling tired, pull over and rest
Travel with an alert passenger and take turns driving

Shawn Steward, spokesperson for AAA South Dakota, told Dakota News Now that many people underestimate just how dangerous drowsy driving can be.

“As we ‘spring ahead,’ it’s critical for motorists to prioritize rest and be alert to the added risks on the roads in the coming week as we all get acclimated to Daylight Saving Time again.”

So enjoy the extra little bit of sunlight in the evenings, it's a good thing to have if you wanna grill out or catch a late sunset here in South Dakota. But remember that on Monday morning, when your alarm goes off, and it feels like it rang an hour too early, it actually did.