TIME CHANGE

When we force our clocks and phones ahead an hour this weekend, we risk more than an hour of our sleep.

We risk our road safety as well as that of all other tired drivers sharing that road.

What's the Big Deal?

Drowsy Driving is the big one. We must have adequate sleep to drive in safety. Driving is a complex task. It demands all of our attention and skill.

Distracted Driving is one of the greatest threats drivers face. It is easy to forget that driving is our only job when we are dead tired. Sleepy brains can't easily override that instinct to read that text or answer that call.

Health Emergencies are more likely. Stats show that some of us are more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke right after the time change. Losing sleep is stressful for our bodies and it may be more than some drivers can handle. Having a massive health crisis is frightening. To have that crisis behind the wheel when driving at speed is truly terrifying for everyone including other innocent drivers and pedestrians sharing that road.

What To Do?

Every driver can make small changes before Sunday to make it easier on the body to adjust.

We can gradually move up our bed time and waking, meals and exercise until our bodies are more in line with the coming change.

We can make sleep our priority and put away the phones and tablets at bed time.

But these small changes can't eliminate the road risk completely. It takes many days for drivers to slowly adjust to change.

If you have been hurt in a car crash, and you think the at fault driver was driving drowsy, let the investigating police officer know. If there was no officer at the scene, then make sure this information is on your report at the Accident Reporting Centre. Then call your experienced community injury lawyer.

Martin Law knows that a car crash is never just an accident.