Does Skipping Daylight Saving Time Make Arizona Roads Safer?

Twice a year, millions of Americans adjust their clocks for daylight saving time. And twice a year, Arizona drivers largely avoid the disruption. But could skipping these seasonal time changes actually make Arizona roads safer?

Research suggests that switching between daylight saving time and standard time can affect traffic crash patterns, particularly in the weeks following the fall transition. While Arizona doesn’t experience the same abrupt shift in daily schedules, the state still faces serious roadway safety challenges.

Here’s what the research reveals about daylight saving time, traffic accidents, and what Arizona drivers should know.

Why Doesn’t Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Unlike most of the United States, Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round. The state has followed this practice since 1968, with one notable exception: the Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time.

Under Arizona Revised Statutes §1-242, the state exempts itself from the federal daylight saving schedule. That means most Arizona residents don’t have to move their clocks forward in March or backward in November.

Arizona’s approach is especially practical given its desert climate. During the hottest months, maintaining standard time helps avoid extending daylight into later evening hours according to the clock.

But beyond convenience and climate, could staying on standard time improve traffic safety?

What Does Research Reveal About Daylight Saving Time and Car Accidents?

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Safety Research examined traffic crash patterns following seasonal time changes.

Researchers analyzed crash data from six states between 2014 and 2016, looking at how accident frequency changed after clocks moved forward in spring and backward in fall.

Their findings revealed some notable differences. During the four weeks following the fall transition to standard time:

• Overall traffic crashes increased by 6%.
• Nighttime crashes increased by 28%.
• Single-vehicle crashes increased by 28%.
• Freeway crashes increased by 15%.
• Urban crashes increased by 12%.

Interestingly, the researchers also observed an 18% overall decrease in crashes during the eight weeks following the spring transition to daylight saving time. These findings suggest that changes in daylight conditions and driving patterns may influence roadway safety. However, the study identified associations rather than proving that changing the clocks directly caused the differences.

Arizona was not among the six states analyzed, so the results cannot establish whether its decision to avoid seasonal clock changes prevents accidents.

Does Arizona Have a Traffic Safety Advantage?

Because Arizona doesn’t change its clocks, most residents avoid the immediate adjustment to a new clock schedule that drivers in other states experience twice annually. For example, when daylight saving time ends in November, drivers in participating states suddenly find themselves commuting home in darkness an hour earlier according to the clock. In Arizona, the relationship between daylight and daily schedules changes more gradually as the seasons progress.

However, it’s important not to confuse avoiding clock changes with eliminating the dangers of nighttime driving. Arizona still experiences shorter daylight hours during winter, and motorists must adjust to changing visibility throughout the year. In other words, Arizona’s clock policy may eliminate one potential source of disruption, but it doesn’t guarantee safer roads.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation’s 2024 Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report, the state recorded:

• 121,107 motor vehicle crashes
• 1,228 traffic fatalities
• 2,079 pedestrian crashes
• 1,379 bicyclist crashes

Although total crashes and fatalities declined compared with 2023, pedestrian and bicyclist crashes reached their highest levels in five years. ADOT also reported that speeding and impairment remained major contributors to serious and fatal collisions.

These statistics demonstrate that roadway safety depends on much more than the time displayed on a clock.

How Can Arizona Drivers Stay Safe as Daylight Hours Get Shorter?

Whether or not the clocks change, seasonal shifts in daylight can affect driving conditions. Taking a few simple precautions can help reduce accident risks.

1. Slow down when visibility is limited. 
2. Watch carefully for pedestrians and cyclists. 
3. Keep your headlights and windshield in good condition. 
4. Avoid distracted and drowsy driving.
5. Maintain a safe following distance. 

These precautions are especially important during early morning and evening commutes when visibility may be reduced.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Arizona?

Even the most cautious drivers cannot control everyone else’s behavior on the road.

If you’re involved in an Arizona car accident, seek medical attention for any injuries and report the collision to law enforcement. When it’s safe to do so, document the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any factors that may have contributed to the crash.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact us for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer at Bache Lynch Goldsmith & Mendoza.