ATLANTA — The nation will "fall back" an hour as Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, Nov. 5. As people repeat an hour, one study is warning of the riskiest time to drive in Georgia as drivers adjust to the time change.
Data from personal injury attorneys John Foy & Associates determined that 2 a.m. was the riskiest time to drive; 8 a.m. was the safest. The attorneys came to these conclusions after analyzing crash data from the Georgia Department of Transportation spanning the last five years.
Findings showed that the highest number of accidents during 2 a.m. resulted in serious injury or death. About 6.4% of crashes in the Peach State happen in that hour. The risk doesn't decrease much when the clock strikes 3 a.m. as it was found to be the second-most dangerous time to be on Georgia's roads, with risks dropping to about 6%.
This data also serves as a warning for truckers who may transport goods at night and must stay on the road through the time change.
After sunrise, the most dangerous time to drive in Georgia is 10 a.m. - but the risks decrease significantly, according to the data, to about 2%. This could be attributed to people who could be running late to a usual 9-to-5 job.
If a driver feels tired, it is recommended to pull over to a safe location and get some shut-eye or to avoid driving at night altogether during the time change. Driving tired is comparable to driving impaired or under the influence. Getting some rest before getting behind the wheel can save a life.