Fall Back, Slow Down: Darker Commutes on University Drive, Pines Blvd and I-595
Clocks fell back an hour on Sunday, November 1. The extra hour of sleep is nice, but it moves sunset into the evening rush. Across the Fort Lauderdale area, many people now drive home in the dark for the first time since March, on roads full of tired drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who are suddenly harder to see.
Research on the end of daylight saving time has found that evening crashes involving pedestrians rise in the weeks after the change. Our bodies and habits haven't caught up to the new light yet. Here is what changes on your commute, and how to adjust.
What's different now
Sunset comes around 5:30 to 5:40 p.m. for most of November and December, right in the middle of the drive home.
Low sun means glare. In the morning, drivers heading east face the sun on I-595, Broward Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard. In the late afternoon, it's westbound drivers on the same roads.
Dusk is the hardest light of the day. Your eyes are adjusting, headlights don't help much yet, and dark clothing disappears against the road.
The roads to watch
University Drive runs through Plantation, Davie and Pembroke Pines, with heavy turning traffic and shopping-center entrances at nearly every block.
Pines Boulevard runs the length of Pembroke Pines and crosses I-75, with long signal cycles that tempt drivers to run late yellows.
I-595 fills with stop-and-go traffic between I-75 and I-95, where sudden slowdowns cause rear-end crashes.
US-441/State Road 7 and Oakland Park Boulevard through Lauderhill and Plantation have frequent bus stops and pedestrians crossing mid-block.
For more, see our guide to the most dangerous roads in South Florida.
How to drive the darker commute
Turn your headlights on before you think you need them. Being seen matters as much as seeing.
Clean your windshield inside and out. A film on the glass turns low sun into a white-out.
Keep sunglasses in the car, and use your visor for the morning and late-afternoon glare.
Add following distance. Two extra seconds gives you room when the car ahead stops for something you can't see.
Expect pedestrians and cyclists near bus stops, schools and shopping centers, and watch for people crossing outside crosswalks.
Put the phone away. Texting while driving is a primary offense in Florida, and the dusk hour leaves no margin for a glance down.
If you walk or ride after dark, wear something light or reflective, use a light on your bike, and cross at signals where drivers expect you.
If you're in a crash
Call 911, get a police report and take photos. Then get evaluated, even if you feel fine. Whiplash and back injuries often take a day or two to show up. Florida PIP requires initial medical care within 14 days of the accident to use your benefits. Here's how the 14-day rule works.
We're close to your commute
Dr. Hamli Li, D.C., and our team see accident patients without an appointment at six clinics across Broward and Miami-Dade, including Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Lauderhill and Oakland Park. We bill your PIP insurer directly, and you can start care with or without an attorney.
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice.