When clocks “fall back” in early November, we gain an hour of sleep – but we lose something more dangerous: daylight during the evening commute. In the weeks after the time change, darkness arrives just as roads fill with people heading home, and pedestrian crashes climb sharply.
Here is why this time of year is so dangerous for people on foot, and how drivers and pedestrians can stay safe.
Why the Risk Jumps
The end of daylight saving time – this year, on November 1 – pushes sunset about an hour earlier, so the busy evening rush suddenly happens in the dark. Drivers’ eyes have not yet adjusted to the earlier darkness, visibility is poor, and pedestrians are far harder to see. Studies consistently show a rise in pedestrian crashes and fatalities in the weeks following the fall time change, and the early evening becomes one of the most dangerous times to be on foot.
It’s Not Just the Darkness
Reduced visibility is the main factor, but it combines with others – glare from the low sun and oncoming headlights, tired or distracted drivers at the end of the day, and the simple fact that many people have not adjusted their habits to the earlier nightfall. For pedestrians, that can be a dangerous mix at exactly the wrong time of day.
Safety Tips as the Days Get Shorter
A few simple steps make a real difference:
- Drivers: slow down after dark, keep headlights and windshields clean, and watch carefully for pedestrians at intersections and mid-block.
- Pedestrians: wear bright or reflective clothing, carry a light or use your phone’s flashlight, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- Everyone: cross at marked crosswalks and corners, and put the phone away near traffic.
- Be extra careful in the first few weeks after the clocks change, while everyone adjusts.
A Driver’s Responsibility Doesn’t Change
Darkness is not an excuse. Drivers always owe a duty to watch for and avoid pedestrians, and a driver who strikes someone because they were speeding, distracted, or not paying attention can be held responsible – regardless of the hour or the season.
Shorter days should not cost anyone their safety. If you or a loved one was hurt in a pedestrian accident in California, Ellin Mardirosian Law offers a free consultation to explain your rights.
Helpful Resources & Links
Practice Areas – Ellin Mardirosian Law
Related: Pedestrian Accidents in California
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NHTSA – U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
California Office of Traffic Safety – Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety
Free consultation with Ellin Mardirosian Law – call (747) 310-5200. Representing accident and injury victims across California and Nevada. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Armenian.
Disclaimer: This article is general information about California (and, where noted, Nevada) law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different — for guidance on your situation, speak with a licensed attorney.
