By Daryl Major

ICBC urges caution on roads after clocks fall back

Nov 7, 2016 | 10:08 AM

NANAIMO – Getting an extra hour of sleep on the time change weekend won’t necessarily improve your driving, according to the Insurance Corporation of BC.

ICBC warns that motorists shouldn’t assume they’re more rested with an extra hour of sleep with most Canadians turning their clocks back one hour when Daylight Saving Time ended on Nov. 6.

“The biggest impact of setting our clocks back one hour can be felt on some of the skills that affect our quality of driving,” said ICBC road safety coordinator Caroline Robinson. “Things like concentration, your alertness and your reaction time to potential hazards.”

As with the time change when we spring forward, Robinson says there is an adjustment period.

“Slow down. One of the best things you can always do,” said Robinson. “Allow some extra travel time so you’re not tempted to rush. Be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists especially at intersections.”

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According to Robinson, ICBC statistics show incidents of pedestrians being hit by vehicles increase in the fall and winter months.

On Sept. 20, a 16-year-old girl was hit by a truck while trying to cross the highway at Mary Ellen Drive in Nanaimo. On Oct. 23, two teenage exchange students from Mexico were run into by an SUV while trying cross Highway 19 at Mostar Road.

Tragically, all three succumbed to their injuries in hospital.