Time change means more night driving

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COLUMBUS – The end of Daylight Saving Time this weekend may mean an extra hour of sleep, but it also means Ohioans will be spending more time driving in the dark, which concerns traffic safety experts.

“Night driving brings challenges. We urge motorists to slow down, increase their following distance, use headlights to make yourself more visible, and be extra cautious on our roadways,” said Kellie O’Riordan, driver education programs manager for AAA Ohio Auto Club.

Vehicle headlights can start showing signs of deterioration after just three years and O’Riordan says aged headlights reduce light output by more than 80%.

The auto club recommends drivers make sure their headlights are in working order and check for signs of discoloration, such as yellowed or cloudy appearance.

If it’s difficult to see the bulb through the lens, have the headlights replaced or restored as soon as possible. Both professional and DIY restoration, such as scrubbing with a half-lemon and baking soda, can restore light output back to about 70%.

Motorists should also avoid drowsy driving if the time change has altered their sleep schedule. Drivers who have slept less than five hours have a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk and missing two or three hours of sleep in a 24-hour period more than quadruples the risk of a drowsy driving crash, O’Riordan said.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

Sending a message

With millions of travelers due to hit the road for the holidays, officials at the Ohio Department of Transportation say Ohioans can submit their ideas for holiday-themed safety messages to be displayed on the state’s dynamic message boards that adorn highways.

The entries, which are limited to three lines of 17 characters per line and must be traffic safety-related to zerodeaths.ohio.gov.