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Extra Caution Advised During Switch to Daylight-Saving Time

30 March 2000

    LOS ANGELES--Daylight-saving begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, April 2. The Automobile Club of Southern California recommends motorists use additional caution, adjust their driving habits, and watch for more people outdoors, especially during the first week of the time change.

    In addition to setting clocks forward one hour, motorists should be prepared to face reduced visibility during the morning commute. "The morning commute will be darker so drivers can expect impaired visibility," said Arline Dillman, Ph.D., the Auto Club's traffic safety expert. "You may need to turn on your headlights, if you begin your commute in the early morning hours, and then turn the headlights off when you reach your destination."

    Early morning sun may also cause reflections off car windows, hoods and other metallic portions of automobiles and can be a serious hazard, she added. "The glare may cause temporary blindness. To reduce glare, invest in and wear high-quality sunglasses and adjust your car's sun visors as needed," Dillman said.

    Late afternoon driving also presents a similar glare problem so the same recommendations apply. In addition, many more pedestrians, joggers, children, walkers and bicyclists will be outside running, playing and exercising because of the longer daylight hours during the evening commute. The Auto Club recommends that motorists drive slower and be extra alert, particularly in residential neighborhoods and school zones. This is especially important with pedestrian fatalities numbering 698 and pedestrian injuries reaching 14,660 statewide in 1998 (the most recent figures available.)

    In addition to adjusting their commuting habits for daylight savings, the Auto Club also recommends that drivers wear their seat belts and be sure that all passengers are buckled up. Small children should be secured in safety seats in the back seats of vehicles.
    The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, Auto Club members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, financial products, travel agency and trip planning services, highway and transportation safety programs, insurance products and services, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs and legislative advocacy.