Clocks go back one hour on Sunday at 2 a.m., signalling another end to daylight saving time. (Dreamstime)

By Alex Rawnsley

fall back

Clocks turning back for yet another wildly unpopular time change

Nov 2, 2024 | 9:44 AM

NANAIMO — Despite multiple promises over recent years to ditch the switch, seasonal time change will occur once more this weekend.

Daylight saving time officially ends on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m. as we push clocks back one hour, signalling earlier sunsets and darker commutes home.

ICBC road safety coordinator Karen Klein said roughly 42 per cent of all pedestrian-related crashes happen in a four month stretch between the start of October and the end of January.

“We want drivers to be a lot more aware and looking for pedestrians, and likewise we want pedestrians to be dressed to be seen. Whether that be wearing a safety reflector on their jacket or dressed in bright clothing or walking with a flashlight, headlamp or using the backlight of their phone.”

Klein added eye contact with drivers is very important where possible, and pedestrians should only cross in appropriate places.

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Clocks turning back for yet another wildly unpopular time change

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A shift in time will also have affects on bodily rhythm and routine.

“It does impact your body, that one hour of change so we really encourage people to go to bed at your regular time and take advantage of that extra hour of sleep so at least you feel better adjusted and well rested,” Klein said.

The end to a seasonal time switch in B.C. is all-but-certain, however timelines to actually make the change remain unknown.

In October 2019, the provincial government passed legislation to make daylight time, or summer time, permanent in B.C., however both then-Premier John Horgan and current Premier David Eby have said they will only make the change in line with areas south of the border.

Washington state, Oregon and California are all in various stages of passing their own legislation to follow suit.

Federal legislation is also looking to make daylight time permanent, however the U.S. Congress could not come to agreement and the bill never made it to the House of Representatives for a vote.

B.C.’s Peace region, as well as the Kootenay-area town of Creston don’t change time, while the B.C. East Kootenay region observes Mountain time to align with Alberta.

The shift is wildly unpopular, with 93 per cent of respondents to a 2019 survey by the provincial government said they wanted the practice to end.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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