Childhood Injury Prevention Interventions

Daylight Savings Time

Background

One intriguing intervention to prevent pedestrian injuries is daylight savings time. Pedestrian injuries are more likely to occur in the dark than in the light, although this is more a risk factor for adults than children. At least two studies have evaluated the effects of daylight savings time on pedestrian injury rates, although neither separated out child pedestrians from other ages.

No new articles to include in review, updated 2001.

Review of daylight savings time interventions:

Summary of studies on daylight savings time

The two studies on daylight savings time both indicate a positive effect on pedestrian injury rates. Although children were analyzed separately, one would expect them to benefit, since a substantial portion of pedestrian injuries to children occur in the later afternoon.

Recommendations on daylight savings time interventions

Consideration would be given to extending hours of daylight savings time in the fall, especially in northern cities. This is obviously a very cheap intervention.

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