The Clocks Go Back On November 1: Are You Ready For Darker Drives?

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, clocks in most of the United States move back one hour as daylight saving time ends. Most people think about the extra hour of sleep. Fewer think about what comes with it: from the following Monday, the sun sets earlier, and many drivers find themselves commuting home in the dark. The change looks small on the calendar, but road-safety researchers have noticed for years that the first weeks after it can be more dangerous than the weeks before. This article explains what the data shows, how your car insurance fits into it and what you can do to make your evening drive safer.

What the numbers show

AAA Northeast analyzed crash data from several northeastern states and found a clear pattern. In Connecticut, from 2020 to 2024, the number of crashes in the 5 p.m. hour in November (4,555) was about 35 percent higher than in October (3,370). Pedestrian crashes in that same hour rose by 147 percent, from 43 in October to 106 in November. Massachusetts data for 2024 showed a similar jump of about 37 percent in 5 p.m. crashes from October to November, and roughly double the number of pedestrian crashes.

Older research points the same way. A well-known study by Carnegie Mellon researchers, using federal fatality data, estimated about 37 more pedestrian deaths around 6 p.m. in November than in October, and a much higher risk per mile walked. It was a preliminary analysis, and it was based on older data, so the exact figures should be treated with care. Still, it matches other work, including earlier studies cited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which found that the switch to standard time increased pedestrian deaths. The researchers also found that the increase applied to pedestrians, not to people riding in cars.

Why it happens

• Darkness arrives during rush hour. One day it is light at 5:30 p.m., and a few days later it is dark. Eyes and habits need time to adjust.
• Glare and low visibility. Dusk is a hard time to see, with headlights, streetlights and wet roads all creating glare.
• Tiredness. Insurers such as Travelers point out that a shifted clock can leave drivers less alert for a week or so, and sleep patterns take time to settle.
• More people outside. Children, runners and commuters walking home are still out at the same time, but now in the dark.
• Wildlife. Deer and other animals are active at dusk, particularly in the autumn. Our article on hitting a deer explains what is covered.

Where car insurance comes in

You cannot control the clock, but you can make sure your coverage is ready for it. A few points are worth knowing.

If you hit a pedestrian or cyclist, your liability coverage pays for their injuries and related costs, up to your limits. These claims can be very large, far beyond a state minimum policy. That is one of the strongest reasons to look at higher limits. Our guide on how much car insurance you need explains how to decide.

If you hit something in the dark, such as a pole, a curb or a parked car, collision coverage pays to repair your car, minus the deductible. If an animal runs out, comprehensive coverage typically applies. See whether full coverage is worth it for the difference.

If another driver hits you and has no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage can help. Our article on what to do if an uninsured driver hits you covers this.

For injuries to you and your passengers, medical payments or personal injury protection helps, depending on where you live.

An at-fault crash can also raise your premium for several years, which is one more reason to take the darker weeks seriously. Our article on how long a ticket affects your insurance shows how long violations can follow you.

Make your evening drive safer

• Adjust before the change. Start going to bed a little earlier, or shift your schedule by 15 minutes a day, in the days before November 1.
• Slow down in the 5 to 7 p.m. window. Leave extra room between you and the car ahead. Visibility and depth perception are worse in low light.
• Check your lights and windshield. Make sure that headlights, brake lights and turn signals work, and clean the inside and outside of the windshield. Dirty glass makes glare worse. Replace worn wipers.
• Scan the sidewalks and crossings. Pedestrians in dark clothing can be hard to see. Look at the edges of the road, not just straight ahead, and slow down near crosswalks, schools and bus stops.
• Use your high beams when no other cars are coming, and dip them for oncoming traffic.
• Put your phone away. Distraction matters more when visibility is already poor.
• Do not drive drowsy. If you are struggling to stay alert, stop and rest. Shift workers should read our page on car insurance for nurses and shift workers.

If you are on foot

Drivers carry most of the responsibility, but pedestrians can lower their risk too. Wear light or reflective clothing, carry a light, cross at marked crossings and make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the road. Take earbuds out near traffic. If you walk a dog or take children out in the evening, keep to well-lit routes.

A short checklist for this week

• Check your policy for liability limits, collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage.
• Look at your deductible, and make sure you could pay it. Read how to choose a deductible.
• Inspect your headlights, wipers and tires.
• Save your insurer’s claim number or app, so you can act fast after an accident. Our step-by-step claims guide shows what to do.
• If you now commute in the dark, ask your insurer whether your coverage still fits.

The clock change is out of your hands, but a safer drive and the right coverage are not. If you want to see what other policies offer, you can compare quotes with higher liability limits.

Sources

• AAA Northeast: evening commute becomes more dangerous as daylight saving time ends
• ConsumerAffairs: how the time change affects road safety (with Travelers)
• NBC News: time change and pedestrian deaths (Carnegie Mellon study)

Written by the StateCarInsuranceUSA editorial team. Last updated October 26, 2026.

This article is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by insurer and state.