Daylight Saving Time Brings Safety Concerns, Experts Warn

Losing an hour of sleep can impact driving and home fire preparedness, according to AAA and the American Red Cross.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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As daylight saving time approaches this weekend, safety officials are warning that losing one hour of sleep can affect both road safety and home preparedness. AAA Northern New England says the time change disrupts sleep schedules and visibility, leading to an increase in fatal crashes. The American Red Cross is also urging residents to test smoke alarms and clear them of dust that can accumulate from winter heating.

Why it matters

The annual daylight saving time change is a significant event that impacts public safety in multiple ways. Drowsy driving and reduced visibility on the roads, as well as potential fire hazards in homes, are serious concerns that need to be addressed to protect communities.

The details

Research shows fatal crashes rise 6% in the week following the daylight saving time change. Data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Research indicates drowsy driving accounts for 18% of all fatal crashes between 2017 and 2021. AAA warns that sleep deprivation can be as dangerous as alcohol impairment behind the wheel. The American Red Cross is urging residents to test smoke alarms and clear them of dust that can accumulate from winter heating, as even recently installed detectors may be malfunctioning.

  • Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 10, 2026.

The players

AAA Northern New England

A regional branch of the AAA motor club that provides roadside assistance, travel planning, and public safety advocacy in northern New England.

University of Colorado Boulder

A public research university located in Boulder, Colorado that conducts studies on the impacts of daylight saving time.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

The AAA's nonprofit research and educational organization focused on traffic safety.

American Red Cross

A humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We not only are losing an hour of sleep that can really mess with our internal clock, but also our mornings are going to be dark again, so it impedes our visibility, so we are having difficulty seeing pedestrians and children waiting for their school buses.”

— Suzanne Grace, Public Affairs Specialist, AAA Northern New England (WCAX)

“If you have had less than four hours of sleep then your risk of being in a crash is the same if you were impaired from alcohol.”

— Suzanne Grace, Public Affairs Specialist, AAA Northern New England (WCAX)

“Your smoke detectors — even if they are young smoke detectors — installed recently — they could be malfunctioning. If you test it — it blows a puff of air out of it and cleans out all the dust and smoke if you are cooking near them. It's just really important to make sure they are functioning.”

— Lyndsey Morin, American Red Cross (WCAX)

What’s next

The American Red Cross recommends that residents test their smoke alarms and replace the batteries when they change their clocks for daylight saving time this Sunday.

The takeaway

The annual daylight saving time change poses significant safety risks, from drowsy driving to potential home fire hazards. By heeding the warnings from experts and taking proactive steps like testing smoke alarms, communities can help mitigate these dangers and keep residents safe.