Daylight Saving Time Ends, So Fall Back Sunday
By Nelson Daily Staff
It’s that time again — time to fall back as Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday.
The first Sunday of November has been designated as the end of Daylight Saving Time when most places fall back.
And listening to the comments Thursday of BC Premier John Horgan, don’t bet on Daylight Saving Time being scrapped anytime soon.
Despite the move by the City of Grand Forks to dump fall back or spring forward change for Daylight Saving Time during the annual Union of BC Municipalities in 2017, Horgan says the government has no immediate plans to eliminate the process. At the meeting, Horgan said if British Columbians want to make the idea a reality, they’d have to work for it by lobbying the government.
“I know it’s a passionate issue, but there are complications with our trading arrangements and there are complications with being on the same time with people you’re dealing with in the business day,” he said in response to a reporter question at a news conference on Thursday.
Delegates at the 2017 UBCM voted 62 per cent in favour of a resolution from Grand Forks to seek support from the provincial government.
This is the third time the issue has come up at the convention. But there’s nothing stopping the change for 2018 as Sunday at 2 a.m., most of the country returns to standard time.
The exception to the rule is Fort St. John, Charlie Lake, Taylor and Dawson Creek and Creston in B.C. and most of Saskatchewan.
Canada Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. Time zone names and abbreviations in Canada change during Daylight Saving Time. Eastern Standard Time (EST) becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), and so forth with each time zone.
There are hazards associated with the time change every year, even with the extra hour of sleep.
“Collisions throughout the month of October to January almost double for the number of pedestrians that are injured in crashes,” said an ICBC spokesperson. “So yes, that could be partially attributed to daylight savings time.”
Today, more than 70 countries and one-fifth of the world’s seven billion people take part in daylight time.
Here are ICBC’s top tips to help drivers deal with the fall time change and the shorter days.
- Always be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists – especially at intersections and near transit stops where pedestrians will be coming and going and may not use crosswalks. Crashes involving pedestrians spike in the fall and winter months.
- Prepare your vehicle for the change in weather. Clean your vehicle’s headlights and rear lights and check they’re all working properly. Keep your windshield, windows and mirrors clear. Remove leaves from your vehicle. Make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid and that your wipers are in good condition.
- Keep your regular sleep/wake cycle. Go to bed at the same time you normally would, so you can benefit from that extra hour of sleep. Don’t assume you are more rested and alert on the road the mornings following the time change as it can impact the quality of your sleep and affect your body’s internal clock.
As the weather changes and daylight hours decrease, pedestrians become increasingly vulnerable. ICBC reminds pedestrians to always make eye contact with drivers and never assume that a driver has seen you.
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