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The link between daylight savings and drowsy driving

Mon 11 Mar, 2019 / by / Car Accidents, Personal Injury

Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Daylight saving time disrupts sleep patterns and increases drowsy driving accidents in the days immediately following the time change; drowsy driving impairs judgment like alcohol and increases crash risk. Get extra sleep around time changes and recognize fatigue symptoms.

Those who are going to be driving on Illinois roads or others throughout the country after the clocks change should make sure to get enough sleep prior to doing so. According to AAA, adults should get at least seven hours of sleep per night. Sleeping for only five or six hours in a 24-hour period could double a driver’s risk of an accident. In fact, it could cause impairment similar to driving after consuming too much alcohol.

If an individual has slept for less than two hours in a given day, they are considered not fit to drive by the National Sleep Foundation. However, it seems as if many people are driving while tired despite the risks of doing so. In a AAA survey, roughly 30 percent of respondents said that they had gotten behind the wheel even when they were struggling to keep their eyes open.

Those who cannot keep their eyes open or who drift from their lanes are too tired to operate a motor vehicle safely. Another sign of drowsy driving is not remembering the last few miles that a person has traveled. Individuals who are tired will only be able to overcome their impairment by getting the recommended amount of sleep. This is because the body will eventually force a person to sleep despite his or her best efforts.

Individuals who have been involved in car accidents may experience significant injuries. If a person who causes an accident was drowsy or tired when it occurred, he or she could be liable for paying compensation to crash victims. A person might admit to driving drowsy or may be found to have been tired based on evidence found at a crash scene. Cases may be settled or resolved through a formal personal injury trial.

Need a lawyer? This article is part of our Peoria Car Accident Lawyer practice area. Call Parker & Parker at 309-673-0069 for a free consultation.

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