Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, when the clocks in most U.S. states will “spring forward.” AAA East Central advises motorists and pedestrians to make the proper adjustments for safer travel.

“Many will find on Monday that their normal morning commutes will be darker than they’re used to, which can be especially dangerous for pedestrians and children waiting at bus stops,” says Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central.

“Moreover, less sleep can lead to an increase in the number of drowsy drivers, so motorists should prepare themselves to adjust to losing an hour of sleep and then driving in darker conditions.”

Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that drivers who don’t get enough sleep put everyone on the road at risk, and that drowsy driving crashes are nearly eight times more prominent than indicated by federal estimates due to the difficulty in detecting drowsiness following a crash.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 35 percent of U.S. motorists sleep less than the recommended minimum of seven hours daily - which could be exacerbated by this weekend’s time change.

To minimize risks, drivers should:

• Plan for an extra hour of sleep to offset the time change.

• Avoid heavy foods before driving.

• Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment and schedule breaks for long drives.

Pedestrians should:

• Pay attention while walking, especially near crosswalks.

• Wear bright colors or reflective clothing at dusk and at night.

• Carry a flashlight when walking in the dark.

• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing streets.

• Walk on the sidewalk or walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.