DOTHAN: Southeast Alabama turned its clocks back an hour early Sunday, and the first full week of standard time brings the usual round of drowsy mornings, dark commutes and sleepy kids.
Daylight saving time officially ended Sunday, Nov. 1, even as Washington debates ending the clock changes altogether. Congress passed no change, so the switch went ahead as scheduled.
Deer season on the roads
The two weeks after the time change are more dangerous for drivers. Human rush hour now overlaps with the peak activity times for deer, which are typically dawn and dusk. That overlap increases deer-vehicle collisions by 16% or more. Sunsets in the Wiregrass now arrive shortly before 5 p.m., so many workers and students will head home in dusk or darkness. Drivers should slow down on rural roads, scan the shoulders, and remember that deer often travel in groups, so one crossing usually means more nearby. If a collision is unavoidable, brake firmly and stay in your lane rather than swerving into oncoming traffic or a ditch. Pedestrians and cyclists are also harder to see this time of year.
Sleep and school
For parents of young children, the change can disrupt sleep schedules until kids adjust. Pediatric guidance generally suggests nudging bedtimes in small steps rather than expecting an instant reset. Adults may feel the effects for several days, especially on early shifts.
Safety checklist
Fire departments routinely urge residents to use the clock change as a reminder to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries. It is also a good time to check flashlights and emergency supplies ahead of winter weather.
Will this be the last one? Possibly, but not yet. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, and the bill now sits in a Senate committee. Efforts to fast-track the Senate’s version have been thwarted. Alabama passed a law in 2021 to observe daylight saving time year-round if Congress allows it, and both of the state’s U.S. senators cosponsor the Senate bill. If it becomes law, Alabama would stay on daylight time permanently, which would mean later winter sunrises.
Until then, the next change is scheduled for Sunday, March 14, 2027.
