This Sunday, British Columbians will set their clocks forward one hour for the last time. While losing an hour of sleep may seem minor, experts warn that the impacts on driver safety can linger well beyond Monday morning.

“Even losing just one hour can throw off your system and your rhythms, leading to increased fatigue in the following days,” says Trace Acres, Program Director for Road Safety at Work. He compares the effect to jet lag, noting that it can take several days—or even up to a week—for the body to fully adjust.

Road Safety at Work stresses that fatigue is more than feeling sleepy. It reduces a driver’s ability to notice, process, and correctly respond to hazards, making crashes more likely. In B.C., fatigue is a factor in hundreds of road incidents each year, particularly for workers who drive as part of their job. Tradespeople, delivery drivers, and sales staff often start early and operate under tight schedules, leaving little room for sleep disruptions.

Acres explains that the risk isn’t limited to those working early shifts. “It’s not only about losing sleep,” he says. “Many people are used to commuting in daylight, and suddenly it’s dark again on Monday morning. Winter isn’t over yet—temperatures may look good during the day, but nights are still below zero. That combination of darkness and continued winter conditions makes it an important time to stay alert.”

While there isn’t a single statistic pinpointing crash spikes after the time change, research shows a noticeable increase in motor vehicle incidents during this period. “Whether it’s due to less sleep, fatigue, or morning commutes happening in the dark again, we know there are added hazards,” Acres says. He urges drivers to take precautions throughout the week following the clocks moving forward.

The effects of fatigue can be subtle. Drivers may drift in their lane, misjudge speed or distance, or react slower to hazards. Mental fatigue can reduce focus, memory, and decision-making. Even an hour of lost sleep can compound if people stay up late or fail to get restorative rest in the following nights.

Acres recommends practical steps to stay safe: get a good night’s sleep on Saturday and Sunday, avoid late-night screen time, eat well, and keep stress low. “Don’t compound the situation. Focus on getting good rest and taking care of yourself, so lingering impacts don’t affect you too much.”

He also highlights that drivers need to be aware of cross-border travel, especially near Vancouver, where people frequently drive between B.C. and Washington State. “We’ll all have to get used to differences in time when traveling,” Acres says. “It’s just something to be aware of.”

This final “spring ahead” is a reminder that driver fatigue is an issue year-round. Employers and workers alike should take it seriously, whether on short commutes or long-haul trips. “Fatigue is a contributing factor in many deaths and injuries on our roads, both in this province and across the country,” Acres notes.

Even with warmer days on the horizon, the combination of lost sleep, lingering winter conditions, and darker mornings makes this week particularly risky. “Getting to your destination safely is what matters,” Acres says. “Take it slower, prioritize sleep, and be honest about your alertness behind the wheel.”