Most Americans appreciate Daylight Savings Time because they get an extra hour of sleep, however, for many Americans, it also acts as a reminder to have the right eyewear for driving. According to the latest American Automobile Association (AAA) survey, 6 in 10 U.S. drivers rely on prescription eyewear when driving. The return of Daylight Savings Time means spending more time driving in the dark, so the AAA is reminding drivers to check their prescriptions. 

A study published in Current Biology found there was a 6 percent increase in fatal accident risk in the U.S. following Daylight Saving Time. The AAA revealed that 62 percent of drivers use prescription eyewear for more than just reading, including sunglasses and contact lenses. 

Additionally, 8 percent of respondents said they wear their glasses all the time when driving, while 16 percent only do so under certain circumstances. Three percent said they never wear their glasses when driving. 

Most drivers, however, understand the importance of wearing prescription eyewear when required. Ninety-four percent of respondents said they wear their glasses as mandated on their driver's license. 

The AAA noted that 75 percent of drivers who wear prescription lenses had a vision test or eye exam within the last year, but 37 percent had not had an exam in over a year or longer. The survey found that younger drivers, 18-54 years of age, were particularly likely to have missed recent eye exams, with only 53 percent having had one within the past year. 

As Daylight Saving Time’s end means it will get dark earlier, so AAA is making the following recommendations for drivers:

● Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing the following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you. 

● Keep your eyes moving. Do not focus on the middle of the area illuminated by your headlights. Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves or at intersections, as these may indicate the presence of oncoming vehicles. 

● Look at the sides of objects. In dim light, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object. 

● Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams. If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the white-painted edge line and stay on course until the vehicle passes.