The American government is likely to pass a
bill to extend daylight saving time this summer. The change
would mean Americans set their clocks back a
month later, the last Sunday of November, and
set them forward a month earlier, the first Sunday of
March.
If the U.S. makes this change, Canada would
likely have to follow suit due to cross-border business and
transport schedules.
An important American study suggests that
full year daylight saving time would reduce pedestrian
fatalities by 13 percent in the 5 to 10 am and 4 to 9 pm time
periods. Motor vehicle occupant fatalities would be reduced by
three percent during the same time periods.
American proponents of the time change say
their country could save at least one percent on its energy
bills. They foresee other benefits such as a reduction in crime
and traffic fatalities in addition to extending the "feel" of
summer.
The fact is, there are more pedestrian
injuries and fatalities in the latter part of the afternoon and
during the fall and early winter. A Transport Canada report on
pedestrian fatalities and injuries shows the greatest number
occurred between 5 and 8 pm, while injuries peaked between 3 pm
and 6 pm.
The report suggests this time-related profile
is due to the shortening of daylight hours during the last
three months of the year.
From a safety perspective, an extra hour of
daylight in the afternoon may be a good thing.
Emile J. Therien
President
Canada Safety Council