DGT Warns of Road Safety Risks as Daylight Saving Time Begins
The Directorate-General for Traffic is urging drivers to exercise caution this weekend as the start of daylight saving time threatens to increase road risks due to sleep deprivation and fatigue.
Daylight saving time begins this Saturday, March 28, and the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is warning drivers to take extra care on the roads. When clocks move forward from 02:00 to 03:00, the resulting loss of an hour of sleep is more than just a minor schedule change; it is a genuine road safety risk.
The DGT highlights that losing sleep can impair the physical and mental abilities needed to drive safely. Scientific evidence shows that disrupting your internal body clock often leads to increased fatigue, drowsiness, and a shorter attention span. These effects don't just disappear overnight—they can last for up to 96 hours, posing a continued risk to drivers.
Driver fatigue is a major factor in many road accidents because it significantly slows down reaction times. Given these risks, the DGT urges all road users to be extra cautious and take steps to manage the impact of the time change. Being aware of your physical state is just as important as following traffic laws, especially when your body is adjusting to a new sleep cycle.