Shorter Days, Higher Risks: How Colorado’s Time Change Increases Evening Car Crashes

Every November, Coloradans set their clocks back one hour as daylight saving time ends. For many, it feels like gaining a precious hour of rest; but on the roads, that “extra hour” often brings something else: an increase in evening car crashes.

After the time change, darker commutes and driver fatigue combine to create more dangerous conditions across the state. The shift may seem small, but the impact on driver performance and visibility can be significant.

At Hoffman Law Firm PC, we see a clear pattern each fall: more collisions, more injuries, and more confusion about what to do next. Here’s what every driver should know about how reduced daylight affects roadway safety in Colorado.

 

The Link Between the Time Change and Colorado Car Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) both recognize that fatigue and drowsy driving account for a large amount of car accidents. In fact, it’s been reported that drowsy driving has contributed towards an estimated 100,000 crashes each year.

Furthermore, conditions that become more prevalent on the road after daylight savings time ends only stand to boost the number of car accidents. These conditions are:

1. Reduced Visibility: The National Safety Council states that depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision can be compromised when driving in the dark. With the sun setting earlier drivers are left commuting in the dark facing reduced visibility, which in turn can increase the chances of car accidents.
2. Driver Fatigue: As mentioned above, fatigue is a large culprit for car accidents. Even a one-hour shift in schedule can disrupt sleep patterns and increase fatigue. Fatigued drivers are slower to react, less attentive, and more prone to making poor decisions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowsy driving can impair judgment as much as a blood alcohol level of 0.05%; the equivalent of driving legally impaired.
3. Increased Pedestrian and Cyclist Danger: Pedestrians and cyclists are hardest hit by the time change. Many continue commuting or exercising after work, unaware of how hard they are to see. In recent years, pedestrian fatalities in Colorado have risen more than 60%, with many crashes occurring between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. after the fall time change.

 

How Darkness Changes Driver Behavior

The transition to darker evenings affects more than just visibility; it alters the way drivers perceive distance, motion, and speed.

• Depth perception decreases, making it harder to judge following distances.
• Peripheral vision narrows, so pedestrians and cyclists are easier to miss.
• Headlight glare worsens, especially for older drivers.
• Reaction time slows, particularly when combined with fatigue or distraction.

These subtle changes are why so many drivers underestimate the risk of nighttime driving…until it’s too late.

 

Common Types of Evening Car Accidents in Colorado

When daylight fades, certain crash types become much more common across Colorado’s highways and local roads:

• Rear-End Collisions: Limited visibility and fatigue make it harder for drivers to maintain safe following distances.
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Strikes: Crosswalks and intersections that feel safe in daylight can become dangerous after dark.
• Wildlife Collisions: Dusk is the most active time for deer and elk, especially in the fall mating season. CDOT estimates that over 3,000 wildlife-related crashes occur in Colorado each year.
• Intersection Crashes: Drivers misjudge the distance or speed of oncoming cars, leading to left-turn and red-light collisions.
• Sideswipe and Lane-Change Accidents: Reduced depth perception increases the risk of drifting or merging errors on multi-lane roads.

 

Tips for Staying Safe on Colorado Roads After the Time Change

The end of daylight-saving time is inevitable, but increased crashes don’t have to be. Here’s how to reduce your risk:

1. Inspect and Clean Your Headlights: Make sure your headlights and taillights are clean, aligned, and fully functional. Foggy lenses can reduce light output by around 80%.
2. Slow Down and Give Extra Space: Reduced visibility means less time to react. Increasing your following distance gives you more room to avoid sudden stops or debris.
3. Watch for Pedestrians and Cyclists: Be especially alert in residential areas, near schools, and at intersections. Even reflective clothing doesn’t guarantee visibility.
4. Stay Alert for Wildlife: Use high beams when appropriate and scan the sides of the road, especially in mountain or rural areas.
5. Avoid Driving While Drowsy: If you’re tired, pull over or take a short rest. Fatigued driving is as dangerous as impaired driving.
6. Prepare for Weather Changes: Shorter days often bring colder evenings, frost, and icy roads. Check the forecast and give yourself extra travel time.
   

 

What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident After Dark

If an evening crash occurs, your next steps can make a major difference in both your safety and your legal rights:

1. Call 911 immediately if anyone is injured.
2. Move to safety if your vehicle is in a dangerous position.
3. Document the scene: photos, lighting conditions, skid marks, and damage.
4. Exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses.
5. Seek medical care even if you feel fine; many injuries appear later.
6. Contact a Colorado car accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies. A skilled attorney can investigate lighting conditions, driver behavior, and potential roadway hazards to ensure you receive full compensation.

To learn more about what you can do check out our previous blog titled “What To Do After A Car Accident”. 

 

How Hoffman Law Firm PC Helps Crash Victims

At Hoffman Law Firm PC, we understand how dangerous Colorado’s darker evenings can be. Our attorneys have decades of experience handling Colorado car accident cases caused by reduced visibility, fatigue, and driver negligence.

We take a comprehensive approach to each case, gathering evidence such as:

• Lighting conditions at the crash scene
• Vehicle headlight performance and visibility reports
• Cell-phone and dash-cam data
• Police and witness statements

We also work with accident reconstruction experts when necessary to build the strongest case possible for our clients.

If you’ve been injured in a crash after dark, don’t wait. Insurance companies act quickly after accidents and critical evidence like skid marks or dash-cam footage can disappear within days.