For generations, British Columbians have marked the arrival of November by setting their clocks back an hour, providing more daylight during the morning commute throughout the winter months.
That annual routine is now a thing of the past as the province has adopted permanent daylight saving time, bringing new considerations for drivers travelling British Columbia’s roads before sunrise.
With clocks no longer rolling back, sunrise in B.C. is occurring an hour later than it has in previous years. As winter approaches, sunrise could be as late as 9:07 a.m. in December, creating darker commutes for many British Columbians who are dropping their children off at school or beginning their workday.
At the New Car Dealers Association of BC, road safety remains our top priority. As sunrise shifts later into the morning, we encourage British Columbians to take the time to assess their surroundings, slow down when conditions warrant and remain vigilant behind the wheel. Darker mornings may be our new reality, but safe driving habits will continue to play a critical role in keeping everyone on our roads safe.
The change will be particularly noticeable for those who start their days early and spend significant time driving during the early hours. Commercial drivers, tradespeople, delivery operators and road maintenance crews often begin their workdays well before sunrise, especially during the winter months. Reduced morning light will become a more regular part of their daily routine, making visibility, preparedness and safe driving practices even more important as they conduct work throughout communities across British Columbia.
Whether you’re behind the wheel, walking to school, cycling to work or catching public transit – we all have a role to play. Take a few extra moments to look carefully, stay visible and anticipate any potential hazards to help prevent incidents and keep our communities safe.
Darker mornings combined with winter weather can create added challenges on B.C.’s roads. Reduced visibility, rain, fog and slippery conditions require extra caution from all road users. These conditions can make it more difficult for drivers to spot pedestrians at crosswalks, cyclists travelling to work or school, and other potential hazards along the roadway. Drivers should ensure their headlights are on, slow down and drive to conditions, and keep their windshields and wipers clean and in good working order to help maintain visibility and safety on the road.
Permanent daylight saving time marks a significant change for British Columbia, and with that change comes a responsibility to adapt. By remaining attentive behind the wheel and recognizing the challenges that darker winter mornings can create, drivers will play an important role in keeping our roads safe. Road safety is not just the responsibility of one person or organization, it is a commitment shared by all British Columbians. Together, we can ensure that this transition is a successful one and help keep morning commutes safe for communities across the province.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. He can be reached at [email protected].
