Daylight saving time starts again next night. As a result, the days after driving tend to be more dangerous than usual, because the sleep deficit caused by this has a similar effect on many people as jet lag, according to the Auto Club Europa. The resulting lack of concentration can have fatal consequences on the road.
The clocks are changed from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., so we’re missing an hour’s sleep and our biorhythms are all mixed up. Based on data from the Federal Statistical Office, ACE found out that in recent years in Germany there has almost always been an accumulation of serious traffic accidents in the week after the time change. Compared with the number of accidents seven days before the changeover to daylight saving time, the number of accidents has increased by up to 30 percent. The ARBÖ also reports an accident frequency after the time change in Austria, although not as significantly as in Germany. “Daylight saving time is an intervention in the biological human time system,” explains ARBÖ traffic physician Dr. Joseph Nagler. The time change not only has a negative effect on health in the short term, it also disrupts people’s “internal clock” until normal time returns. According to ACE, several studies by health insurance companies show that almost every second German after the changeover to summer time suffers from sleep problems. The human body needs between four and 14 days to adjust its sleep rhythm to the new conditions. Natural early risers suffer less from the change than so-called owl types, whose natural biorhythms only get up to speed later in the day Relying on studies by medical specialists. This means that the cause of the accident, “fatigue”, can be equated with alcohol and drugs in terms of dangerousness. Anyone suffering from persistent insomnia should seek medical advice. Referring to information from the German Road Safety Council (DVR), the ACE points out that every fourth accident in Germany is due to microsleep. The ARBÖ recommends going to bed a few days before the time change, as well as eating a little earlier earlier and only eat light meals in the evening for the first few days after the changeover. Gently get your circulation going in the morning, for example with stretching exercises. Contrast shower promotes blood circulation and awakens spirits. The ARBÖ traffic physician recommends scented oils: “Drip a few drops of bergamot, geranium or lemon oil onto a handkerchief and place it on the shelf in the car.” The ACE advises spending a lot of time in the fresh air. This promotes the production of the activity hormone serotonin. The increased consumption of fruit and vegetables also ensures that the effects of the time change run off lightly.
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