Daylight Saving Time Safety Tips for Drivers and Your Car

Whether we spring forward or fall back, Daylight Saving Time is an excellent semi-annual reminder to take care of maintenance tasks for your car or truck in support of safer and more comfortable driving.

As we prepare to spring ahead and as our schedules get adjusted accordingly, there are safety precautions that can be taken to help keep your automobile, it passengers, and others on the road safe as you make the most of the longer days and warmer weather so the only thing you need to worry about this spring and summer is soaking up some sun.

1. Check your lights! Setting our clocks forward means that many of us will be commuting while it’s still dark out, so now is a great time to make sure both your interior and exterior lights are working as well as they should. A check list that can help:
• Interior lights
• Headlights (low beam/high beam)
• Brake lights
• Fog lights
• Signal lights
• Pro tip: turn your car on but keep the engine off and parking brake set while performing these tests. Also, while checking reverse lights, make sure your vehicle is on flat ground and your foot is firmly on the brake.
2. Perform a full inspection. In addition to making sure your emergency response plan and corresponding kit are up to date, there are many more critical components to driving safely while adjusting to the time change. Check your mirrors, brakes, and steering system for any issues. Bring your car to a certified mechanic to fix any problems to make a smooth transition into spring.
3. Make sure your tires are in tip-top shape. Snow and winter weather can be brutal on tires so make sure to get the tread checked out and that they are properly inflated before hitting the road. Additionally, the front left tire feels the most pressure where the driver sits so it’s important to have your tires rotated by a professional every so often. A good rule of thumb is to have it done every time you get an oil change.
4. Speaking of car fluids. Changing seasons can change the properties of the fluids in your car. You can inspect these yourself or have a certified mechanic give you the “all clear” instead:
• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Brake fluid
• Washer fluid
• Transmission fluid
5. Most importantly, adjust your sleep habits gradually at least week in advance. Setting our clocks an hour forward means we’re likely to lose an hour of sleep on top of the existing sleep deprivation many Americans already face. This leads to drowsy driving, which can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. To avoid accidents once Daylight Saving Time goes into effect, try and go to bed an hour earlier than normal for a week in advance to help you cope with the change slowly instead of forcing yourself to adjust immediately.

Making this change is easier said than done so here are some tips for better sleep overall:

• Reduce your caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake throughout the day and especially before bed
• Avoid screens at least an hour before bed
• Build a sleep-inducing environment by keeping your bedroom cool and dark
• Have a warm, soothing drink such as herbal tea or milk

Our personal auto insurance policies provide coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others, no-fault personal injury coverage for your vehicle's occupants, and physical damage coverage for your own vehicle for collision or other perils.

Safety aims to ensure that we provide the highest standard of service to our policyholders – we offer increased coverage for convenience and peace of mind through our Safety Shield Plus, a broad coverage endorsement for your Personal Auto Insurance policy which includes:

• Disappearing Collision Deductible
• Accident Forgiveness
• Guaranteed Replacement Cost
• Emergency Road Travel Expenses
• Extended Substitute Transportation
• Supplemental Towing & Labor
• Emergency Road Travel Expenses
• Rental Vehicle Loss of Income
• Personal Effects Coverage
• Pet Coverage

We also offer enhancements for Commercial Auto policy.

By following these key steps and maintaining proper insurance coverage, you can leverage Daylight Saving Time to your advantage to make the best of the warm weather and longer days.

Please view our products for more information on our endorsements and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to receive the latest updates.

If you have any coverage questions, please contact your Independent Agent and they will be happy to answer any questions. Safety Insurance helps you manage life’s storms both online and in person.