I must admit that I’m not a big fan of the switch back to Eastern Standard Time. I really don’t like being in complete darkness in the late afternoon when it just seems like it should still be sunny. There’s actually a good reason not to like this early darkness — it’s less safe.

A study at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh has found that there is a significant increase in pedestrian fatalities that coincides with changing our clocks back in the fall. Researchers analyzed federal traffic-fatality information and found that the number of pedestrian fatalities increased by 186 percent in the weeks following the time change. In fact, the risk for pedestrian fatalities at 6 p.m. is higher in November than in any other month. The risk of fatality at 6 p.m. is 11 times higher in November than it is in April, when we “spring back” to daylight saving time.

This study is not the first of its kind. The Arlington-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that based on its studies, 200 lives could be saved each year by switching to daylight saving time year-round.

“But wait a minute,” you’re probably saying to the newspaper (as those around you look somewhat alarmed), “isn’t this supposed to make things safer for students and others walking in the morning?” Yes, and it does, to an extent. The problem is that the offset doesn’t make up for the added risk in the evening. About 13 lives are saved in the 6 a.m. hour compared to 37 deaths in the 6 p.m. hour.

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Disagreement on SmarTrip

Dharm writes: “I completely disagree with the e-mail you mentioned in today’s column (Nov. 5, 2007) by Steve on SmarTrip. First, no one is forcing the use of SmarTrip. The proposal going out to public hearings by Metro would allow those using SmarTrip to pay the same fare [$1.25], while those paying cash would pay [an extra 10 cents]. Second, not only is Metro going to expand its distribution network for SmarTrip, but it’s planning giving them away for a one-year transition period before eliminating paper transfers. Finally, other cities have gone these routes. For example, in Chicago the CTA charges a $0.25 premium for paying cash and only offers discounted transfers for those using their version of SmarTrip (Chicago Card).”

I think the complaint was more that bus riders weren’t really paying their fair share of the burden to make up the budget deficit. The extra dime, and certainly no increase at all, will do nothing to eliminate the multimillion-dollar shortfall.