B.C. Schools and Police Urge Caution as Permanent Daylight Time Brings Darker Winter Mornings

Shraddha Tripathy

10/30/20264 min read

Schools, police departments and local governments across British Columbia are preparing for a significant change to winter mornings as the province approaches its first November without the traditional seasonal clock adjustment.

Beginning Sunday, November 1, most British Columbians will keep their clocks unchanged while several other provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, return to standard time.

The decision to adopt permanent daylight saving time means residents will gain an extra hour of evening daylight compared with previous winters, but morning sunlight will arrive considerably later.

In Vancouver and other parts of the South Coast, sunrise is expected to occur as late as 9:08 a.m. during the winter months, leaving many students travelling to school before daylight.

The change has prompted school districts, police and road safety organizations to increase public awareness about pedestrian visibility and the risks associated with travelling in darkness.

Permanent Daylight Time Changes Winter Routines

British Columbia announced its transition to permanent daylight saving time earlier this year, ending the practice of changing clocks twice annually.

The province made its final seasonal adjustment on March 8, when clocks moved forward by one hour.

Under the new system, most of B.C. will remain on Pacific time, seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time, throughout the year.

The provincial government has said the change is intended to reduce disruptions to sleep schedules, simplify daily routines and provide more daylight during evening hours.

However, eliminating the fall clock adjustment also means sunrise will occur approximately one hour later than residents have traditionally experienced during winter.

In Vancouver, the sun is expected to rise after 9 a.m. on some mornings in December and January.

That creates an unfamiliar situation for many families whose children typically leave home or begin classes before 9 a.m.

Some communities in northeastern British Columbia, including Fort St. John, have already operated without seasonal clock changes for decades.

Other areas, including parts of the East Kootenay region, will continue following their established time arrangements.

For much of the province, however, the approaching winter represents a substantial change to familiar morning conditions.

Parents Consider Ways to Keep Children Visible

The prospect of darker school commutes is already influencing how some parents prepare their children for the months ahead.

Kim Robinson, whose child attends Aspen Elementary School in Comox, said the later sunrise has raised concerns about visibility.

Robinson said she has begun thinking more carefully about the colours of her child's clothing and how to make them easier for drivers to see.

Bright jackets, reflective accessories and other visibility measures are becoming part of the conversation as families prepare for early morning travel.

The concern is particularly relevant for students who walk, cycle or use other forms of active transportation to reach school.

Reduced natural light can make pedestrians harder to identify, particularly at intersections, crosswalks and areas where vehicles enter or leave school grounds.

Officials are encouraging families to review their regular routes and consider whether additional precautions may be necessary.

Vancouver Island Schools Launch Visibility Campaign

Several school districts on southern Vancouver Island are participating in a campaign designed to help students remain visible during darker morning commutes.

The initiative, called Let's Get Visible, involves schools in Sooke, Victoria and Saanich, working with the Capital Regional District and local partners.

The campaign encourages students and families to wear brightly coloured clothing, reflective materials and accessories that improve visibility in low-light conditions.

Some schools have distributed reflective equipment, while others are planning activities to reinforce safe travel habits.

Paul Block, superintendent and CEO of the Sooke School District, said the transition to permanent daylight time provides an opportunity to strengthen awareness about school-route safety.

He emphasized that families who walk, cycle or use other active transportation methods should consider how visible they are to motorists.

Block also stressed that responsibility extends beyond students and parents.

Drivers travelling through school zones and residential neighbourhoods must remain alert to pedestrians and cyclists, particularly when visibility is limited.

The campaign aims to encourage safer habits throughout the wider community rather than placing responsibility solely on children.

ICBC Data Highlights Risks During School Commutes

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has reinforced the importance of school-zone safety, citing collision data involving children and teenagers.

According to the provincial insurer, minors are more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash during morning and afternoon school commute periods than at other times of the day.

ICBC also reports that crashes involving minors increase by approximately 37 per cent in September compared with the monthly average.

Although those figures are not specific to permanent daylight saving time, they highlight the risks associated with periods when large numbers of children and vehicles are travelling at the same time.

The introduction of darker winter mornings adds another consideration for drivers, particularly in communities where students regularly walk or cycle to school.

Road safety officials recommend that motorists reduce their speed near schools, watch carefully for people crossing streets and allow additional time for morning travel.

Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use reflective materials and appropriate lighting to improve their visibility.

Victoria Police Warn Drivers About Changing Conditions

Police in Victoria are also encouraging residents to prepare for the new winter conditions.

Victoria Police Department media relations officer Sgt. Kristin Greffard recently reminded residents that although their clocks will remain unchanged on November 1, the amount of available daylight will continue to decrease.

The department has emphasized that familiar commuting schedules may now take place in substantially darker conditions.

Drivers are being encouraged to remain particularly attentive near schools, intersections and pedestrian crossings.

The warning is intended to help motorists recognize that unchanged clock times do not mean road conditions will remain the same.

As winter progresses, reduced daylight, rain and other seasonal weather conditions can further complicate visibility for motorists and pedestrians.

Police say awareness and caution will be important as residents adapt to the new arrangement.

Communities Adjust to a New Winter Schedule

British Columbia's move to permanent daylight time represents a lasting change to how residents experience winter mornings and evenings.

While the government expects the policy to reduce the inconvenience of seasonal clock changes, schools and public safety agencies are focusing on its practical effects.

The coming months will bring later sunrises, requiring families and drivers to become accustomed to school commutes taking place before daylight.

Officials hope that increased awareness, reflective clothing and safer driving practices will help reduce risks during the transition.

The broader adjustment also extends to workplaces, transportation services and technology systems that must account for British Columbia remaining on its new year-round time.

For families with school-aged children, however, the most immediate concern is straightforward: ensuring students can travel safely when the morning commute begins in darkness.

As November approaches, schools and police are urging British Columbians to prepare for the change and make visibility a priority throughout the winter season.

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