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What permanent daylight time could mean for road safety
A local RCMP officer sees a potential road safety benefit from Manitoba’s decision to stop changing its clocks twice a year. Manitoba announced Thursday that it will remain on daylight saving time year-round, meaning clocks will not be turned back one hour on Nov. 1. Sgt. Tim Connell says he has read that traffic accidents can increase in the week following a time change, when people are adjusting to a shift in their sleep schedules. “I’d say it’s a good thing,” he remarked. A Manitoba Health analysis released in 2026 says research has found a connection between the spring clock change and higher rates of traffic collisions and workplace injuries. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/pol-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1647631135332-bbm1'); s.setConfig({targeting: {URL: [window.location.pathname]}}) s.setConfig({targeting: {position: [1647631135332]}}) s.setConfig({targeting: {story_id: 'what-permanent-daylight-time-could-mean-for-road-safety'}}) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); The report also points to Manitoba Public Insurance data showing collisions increased by 20 per cent on Manitoba roads following the spring time change, compared with other Mondays. Related stories: What locals say about time change being a thing of the past Manitoba to stay on daylight time year-round Listen to this news story on the radio: Country 93 / Mix 96 / CFRY 920 Connell says eliminating the clock change could remove one potential disruption for drivers. googletag.cmd.push(function() { if($(document).width()<900) { s = googletag.defineSlot('/50748803/pol-all-bigbox', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-1647631135332-bbm2'); s.setConfig({targeting: {URL: [window.location.pathname]}}) s.setConfig({targeting: {position: [1647631135332]}}) s.setConfig({targeting: {story_id: 'what-permanent-daylight-time-could-mean-for-road-safety'}}) s.addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().refresh([s], {changeCorrelator: false}); } }); “I think it’s probably a benefit thing not having to change your body clock,” Connell commented. Watching the numbers With Manitoba no longer making the fall adjustment, Connell says it will be interesting to see whether there is any noticeable change in traffic collisions. “We’ll see if it’s actually a thing,” he remarked. Connell suggested looking at collision numbers after the first week without a seasonal time change to see whether there is any difference. “Do our own little study,” he added. Manitoba’s decision means the province will remain on daylight saving time through the winter rather than returning to standard time in November.
