Pedestrian Crashes Double in Massachusetts in November
Pedestrian crashes in Massachusetts rose from 15 in October to 32 in November 2025, as drivers adjusted to the fall clock change.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Car Types
Pedestrian crashes in Massachusetts rose from 15 in October to 32 in November 2025, and vehicle crashes during the 5 p.m. hour increased 30% over the same period. Data for the state came from the IMPACT Crash Data Portal.
Why it matters
Earlier evening darkness and disrupted sleep schedules following the fall clock change contribute to driver drowsiness, which the crash data reflects. Reduced visibility during peak rush hour further raises the risk of collisions for drivers and pedestrians across the state.
Pedestrian crashes rose from 15 in October to 32 in November 2025, while vehicle crashes during the 5 p.m. hour increased 30% over the same period. A simulated nighttime driving experiment found that 75% of participants who rated their drowsiness as low were actually moderately or highly drowsy.
The players
Marian Berkowitz
Marian Berkowitz is a Massachusetts resident whose brother, Jim, died after falling asleep at the wheel following the fall clock change.
The details
Sleep disruptions caused by the clock change can take several days or weeks for drivers to adjust to, and the simulated experiment suggests drivers often underestimate their own fatigue. Marian Berkowitz lost her brother, Jim, after he fell asleep while driving a six-hour trip on a Monday evening following the fall clock change.
Timeline
October 2025: Baseline month with 15 pedestrian crashes in Massachusetts.
November 2025: Pedestrian crashes doubled to 32 and vehicle crashes rose 30% during the 5 p.m. hour.
Monday following the fall clock change: Jim Berkowitz fell asleep while driving, causing a fatal crash.
Seasonal Patterns
The fall clock change has been linked in prior research to short-term increases in traffic fatalities during the weeks that follow the transition. The Massachusetts figures fit that documented seasonal pattern rather than marking a departure from it.
Drivers should allow at least four seconds of following distance behind other vehicles and reduce speed to about 5 mph when turning at intersections. Getting seven hours of sleep before driving and checking headlights for clouding or deterioration after three years can reduce drowsiness-related and visibility-related risks.
The takeaway
Adjusting sleep and driving habits during the first weeks after the clock change can meaningfully reduce the chance of a crash. Drowsiness is easy to underestimate, so planning rest before long drives matters.
Further reading
For broader context on crash patterns, see Car Types coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 22 News WWLP.
