Today’s Poll

Daylight Savings Time Ends, So Fall Back Sunday

Nelson Daily Staff
By Nelson Daily Staff
November 1st, 2019

Could this be the last time the clocks turn back one hour in BC to mark the end of Daylight Savings Time?

Thursday, on the eve of time change weekend, the first Sunday of November when most places fall back at 2 a.m., the BC Government introduced the interpretation amendment act to allow for a future move to permanent daylight saving time (DST) after 93% of British Columbian respondents indicated support for the change in a record-breaking public engagement.

The bill will amend legislation that enabled the bi-annual change from standard to daylight time and will rename the province’s time zone as Pacific time. It will not affect the long-standing ability of certain local areas in the North and Kootenays to remain on mountain time, as they have for decades.

“British Columbians have said loud and clear that they want to do away with the practice of changing our clocks twice a year and our government is taking action,” said Premier John Horgan. “This bill creates a clear path forward for the transition, while also ensuring we take into account every detail during implementation.”

The move to year-round DST is planned to be brought into effect at a time that maintains alignment with Washington, Oregon, California and Yukon, which are all in the process of creating or enacting similar legislation.

Sunday, the clock fall back one hour to restore the public to Pacific 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, which never change time.

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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