Researchers Say Drivers Should Stay Vigilant Following Time Change

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — With daylight saving time comes more afternoon sunshine, more daylight hours to have fun and enjoy time with the family and a greater risk of getting in a deadly crash, according to researchers.

Losing that one hour of sleep Sunday has many grumbling on social media about having to drink extra coffee to cope, but it might be necessary because experts say there is a consistent pattern in the increase of traffic collisions the week following the "spring forward" time change.

"We've looked at the data over the past 20 years and it's been very consistent," transportation engineer and former NYC transit commissioner Sam "Gridlock" Schwartz said. "The first week of daylight saving time, we see a sizeable increase in crashes."

The time change of course means an hour of sleep lost, but for Los Angeles drivers, it also means an early morning commute in the dark immediately after the switchover, according to Automobile Club officials.

Researchers have determined that not only did overall accidents increase, but deadly collisions rise by 17 percent the Monday after daylight saving time kicks in.