Changing from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time triples pedestrian deaths from 5 pm - 7 pm, according to two Carnegie Mellon University researchers. An average of 37 more people are killed each year in November vs. October around the 6 pm commute time. As a walker and a driver, this is not surprising to me. Suddenly, it is twilight or dark when I begin my evening commute, yet I'm not expecting the same joggers and dog walkers to be taking their after-work jaunts.
Pedestrian Deaths Increase: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
TrafficSTATS Database: This is the source of the data. It is interesting to play around with. Select pedestrians as the Person Type and Walk as the Travel Mode. Then look by month and hour to see the number of fatalities from 1999-2005.
Walkers need to switch gear quickly when the clocks change and it is now twilight or dark during their evening exercise time. It's time to add a reflective vest and perhaps a flashlight or headlamp. Be safe by being visible.
Best Night Reflective Items
My biggest danger comes in the parking lot of the supermarket. I tend to wear black a lot, and my winter jackets are in darker colors. I need to remember that I am invisible to cars hunting for the perfect parking spot or rushing to get home for dinner.
As a driver, lock up your cell phone for the first two weeks after the time change to remove one distraction from your driving environment. Take extra care at every corner to look for invisible Ninja pedestrians.
Night Walking Strategies
Poll: Do You Change Your Walking Habits in Winter?
Vote:- No, I keep walking outdoors at the same time of day.
- No, I always walk indoors.
- I change my walking hours.
- I change to indoors walking and/or exercise.
- I change my walking hours and change to walking indoors.
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner, 2007
