Increased traffic accidents after the time change

More traffic accidents at sunrise and sunset after time change

05/25/2012

The British police have been recording more accidents after the time change for years. Researchers at the University of Oxford have now scientifically studied the phenomenon and found that the number of injured motorcyclists after the change from winter to summer time and the number of accidental pedestrians after the time change in the autumn increases.

Number of motorcycle accidents increases drastically in spring
For the study, the researchers took into account only the hours in which due to the time change changed lighting conditions prevailed. They examined all accidents involving serious injuries or deaths recorded by the British Department of Transport between 1996 and 2006, four weeks before and after the sunrise and sunset time change.

It turned out that the number of accidents increased significantly in almost all groups after the time change in spring. Particularly strong was the increase of 42 percent among motorcyclists. Only with the pedestrians it was reduced by eight percent. However, the extent to which the number of motorcyclists increased due to the warmer, drier weather was not considered. When the time was changed in autumn, the number of motorcycle accidents did not increase, but decreased by two percent. However, according to researchers, this is not significant. On the other hand, the number of cyclists fell by 5.3 percent in autumn. In the fall, however, the number of accidents in pedestrians increased by almost 30 percent, while it increased by 19 percent in the car and passenger.

„The results for specific subgroups demonstrate that the switch to summer time saves no lives, "said lead author of the study, Joseph Alsousou, adding that it is important to investigate the causes of the increased number of accidents after a change in time, such as reduced visibility, internal disturbances Clock and changed road use by other lighting conditions belonged. „Further work is needed in this area to develop the necessary information for accident prevention strategies. "

In Germany is warned regularly against wildlife accidents in autumn. The rush hour would be by imagining the clock some time in the twilight, according to the German Hunting Association.

Time change carries risks
Since the introduction of winter and summer time in 1980, the time lag has been repeatedly criticized. Advocates cite the energy savings as a significant advantage, because the longer daylight less power is consumed. Critics argue, however, that the time change would cause serious health problems for many people, as the biorhythm is severely disturbed. Automobile clubs see in the time adjustment a measurable increased accident risk. Many people would experience difficulty concentrating, irritability and dizziness during the adjustment phase. Symptoms are often caused by sleep disorders. (Ag)

Also read about the topic of time change:
The time change affects our biorhythm
Time change promotes winter depression
Time change: more accidents and sleep disturbances
Sleep training helps children with sleep disorders
Time conversion can provoke sleep disorders
Biorhythm suffers from time change

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