Time Change Could Mean More Accidents

11/19/2011
Randy Appleton
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Norfolk, VA Personal Injury Attorney Reports: 'Falling Back' Can Make Roads More Dangerous

November brings colder weather, turkey and time with loved ones. Also, the month brings the end of daylight saving time, causing citizens nationwide to “fall back” an hour. Adjusting our clocks may be more than just a minor annoyance – the effects could be downright dangerous.

Researchers have discovered that the risk of pedestrian deaths at 6 pm is far higher in November than any other month. Shockingly, the study reveals that per mile, risk jumps 186 percent between October and November. The rate drops again in December, when people have adjusted to the time change.

With the end of daylight saving time, it gets darker earlier. And with people heading home from work, there are more people driving in near-darkness. A University of Michigan study shows that there were 65 fatal pedestrian collisions the week before daylight savings time ends, and 227 the week after. These numbers show just how dangerous it is to be a pedestrian this time of year.

If you're driving home from work tonight, make sure to turn on your headlights. Pay close attention to pedestrians, even in commercial districts where you may not expect their presence.

Pedestrians, pay close attention to traffic laws, and never jay walk. Don't walk with headphones in, because you might not hear a car coming your direction. Try not to wear dark clothing if you're walking home after dark. If the numbers show anything, it's that these deaths will become less likely in coming weeks.

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Category: Car Accident Lawyers & Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Labels: accident Appleton car accident attorney Crash Norfolk pedestrian personal injury attorney VA Virginia Wreck

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia Beach, VA-based injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and we have handled thousands of car accident, truck wreck, and motorcycle crash cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself.

We've handled car accident cases throughout Virginia including Richmond, Fairfax, Alexandria, and the Hampton Roads region including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Portsmouth, Newport News, and Suffolk.

Our primary office is in Virginia Beach at the intersection of Diamond Springs Road and Northampton Boulevard. We also have an office on Eaton Street in Hampton. All of our accident injury attorneys were raised in Virginia and have deep roots with the community.

Our Virginia injury law firm has been recognized as one of the best injury law firms in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report since 2010. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed on the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Rick and Jim were named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of lawyers receive. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms.

We also offer free special reports on distracted driving and the Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in Virginia.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us at 1-800-752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you shortly.

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Norfolk, VA Personal Injury Attorney Reports: 'Falling Back' Can Make Roads More Dangerous

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