MDOT, OHSP and Michigan Fitness Foundation reminder: Be alert and safe as clocks 'fall back' on Sunday

LANSING, Mich. - As the clocks "fall back" to standard time on Sunday, Nov. 2, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and the Michigan Fitness Foundation remind drivers to watch out for people traveling on foot or rolling, like on a bicycle, wheelchair, skateboard or other personal device, during twilight hours during mornings and evenings. Motorists also should allow a minimum 3-foot distance when passing a bicyclist, according to state law.

"Road users need to be alert and eliminate distractions, slow down and fully focus on getting to their destination safely. People traveling on foot or rolling are encouraged to wear brighter-colored clothing with reflective material to enhance visibility," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. "As a reminder, under the distracted driving law, it is illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. Under the law, a driver cannot hold or support a phone or other device with any part of their hands, arms or shoulders."

Research from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute confirms that pedestrians are more at risk of serious injury from a motor vehicle crash in the weeks following a return to standard time. The most dangerous time is the first hour of darkness.

Working with schools and communities across the state, the Michigan Fitness Foundation's Safe Routes to School program staff provide best practices to help communities identify and overcome safety barriers in order to make it safer for children to walk and bike to school.

"We encourage motorists to reduce their speed, obey all signs and traffic signals, and be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists, especially right before and after school," said Michigan Fitness Foundation President and CEO Amy Ghannam. "By working with MDOT on the Safe Routes to School program, the Michigan Fitness Foundation assists local communities to develop projects that increase connectivity and safety for students when they walk and roll to school."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians and 1,166 pedalcyclists (bicyclists and riders of other nonmotorized vehicles powered solely by pedals) died in traffic crashes in 2023.

In Michigan, a 2024 pedestrian crash report from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF) stated 2,281 pedestrians were involved in crashes, resulting in 156 killed and 1,809 injured. Most pedestrian-involved crashes occurred from 6 to 6:59 p.m., with 163 (7.6 percent).

MTCF's 2024 bicyclist crash report showed that 29 people were killed and 1,369 injured. The peak hour for bicyclist-involved crashes was from 4 to 4:59 p.m., with 199 bicyclists involved. The peak hour for bicyclist fatalities was from 8 to 8:59 a.m., with five bicyclist fatalities.

Alicia Sledge, director of OHSP, said that as we transition out of daylight saving time, it's critical for drivers to recognize how reduced lighting can impact visibility and reaction time.

"The earlier onset of darkness increases risks for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially during peak travel hours," Sledge said. "We urge all motorists to stay alert, slow down and eliminate distractions because a few extra seconds of caution can save a life."

MDOT continues to work with partners statewide on the Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) safety campaign based on the National Strategy on Highway Safety, which is intended to influence driver behavior and improve safety. For more information on the TZD campaign, visit https://www.Michigan.gov/ZeroDeaths.

MDOT and the League of Michigan Bicyclists have more information available online about pedestrian and bicycle safety.