Daylight saving time comes to an end this weekend, and AAA is reminding motorists to prepare for changing driving conditions as the clocks move back one hour. At 2 a.m. Sunday, November 1, clocks will be turned back to 1 a.m., marking the return to standard time. The change means an extra hour of sleep for many people, but it also brings earlier sunsets and darker conditions during the evening commute. AAA says the adjustment can create additional hazards for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly during the first several days following the time change. “Drivers can expect a noticeable change in their commute almost overnight,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Morning sun glare can make it difficult to see the road ahead, while earlier darkness makes pedestrians and cyclists harder to spot in the evening.” For motorists in Chattooga County and throughout Northwest Georgia, the earlier darkness is especially important on rural highways and secondary roads, where lighting may be limited and drivers frequently encounter curves, hills and narrow shoulders. AAA points to research from its Foundation for Traffic Safety showing that the increase in pedestrian fatalities since a historic low in 2009 has occurred almost entirely during nighttime hours. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also indicates that pedestrian deaths increase when standard time returns. Drowsy driving is another concern associated with changes…
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