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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:
Author | Whittaker, 1996 |
Study design and target population | Time series analysis
1983-1993 County of Cheshire, UK |
Intervention | Daylight savings time |
Outcomes | 613 police-reported pedestrian-MV
collisions during the one week period on either side of the change to daylight
savings time in spring and back to GMT in fall. |
Results | Risk of pedestrian injury for all
ages was reduced by 16% (OR=0.84, 0.60-1.16) in the change to daylight savings
time in the spring compared to the change back to GMT in the fall. |
Study quality and conclusions | Although the results were not significant
because of relatively small numbers, the data indicate that daylight savings
time is associated with a decreased risk of pedestrian injuries.
Limited by data reported to police. |
Author | Ferguson et al., 1995 |
Study design and target population | Time series analysis
1987-1991 US population, except Alaska, Hawaii, Indiana and
Arizona |
Intervention | Daylight savings time |
Outcomes | Fatal pedestrian injuries for 22 weeks
under daylight savings time compared to 22 under standard time. |
Results | Overall, estimated 727 lives saved
by daylight savings time, a reduction of 5.1% for pedestrian injuries to all
ages (OR=0.95). |
Study quality and conclusions | Large sample size and well-done study
with appropriate analysis plan. Appears that extending daylight savings hours
further into the winter might be an effective intervention. |
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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