Don’t Get Left in the Dark: Fewer Hours of Light, Greater Need for Power

American-Made Truck Lights Keep Drivers Safe Through Daylight Saving Time

The shift associated with Daylight Saving Time has important and often overlooked implications for commercial truck operators—particularly when it comes to lighting. As clocks change, so do the hours of daylight and darkness, and for large commercial trucks that spend long hours on the road, often in variable lighting conditions, ensuring optimal illumination is critical. During the months when daylight saving time begins (typically in spring) or ends (in autumn), trucks may experience different exposure to twilight, dusk and dark-hours, changing the risk profile for both visibility and safety. For instance, research shows that serious road accidents dropped 15–20 % during the days near the spring DST transition (when evening daylight hours increase), and conversely minor accidents increased by about 13 % when returning to standard time (when darkness creeps earlier).News-Medical

From an operational visibility standpoint, the hours of darkness matter. One classic analysis found that in cities with daylight saving time, the hours from roughly 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (when driving conditions shift from daylight to dusk/dark) showed a 55 % reduction in fatal accidents compared to standard-time cities, suggesting the value of extended daylight in the evening. Casualty Actuarial Society For a truck on the road in early evening or late afternoon, that extra light can mean the difference between spotting hazards early and reacting in time. At the same time, as the autumn shift moves daylight hours earlier and darkness comes sooner, the window of risk expands—and commercial drivers may find themselves operating more hours in the dark, where older headlight systems or degraded lenses may fail to deliver optimal illumination.

Lighting systems for large trucks must therefore be up to the task: strong beam output, robust durability in vibration and weather, and correct aim to reduce glare and enhance recognition of road & obstacles. The reality is illustrated by inspection data: lighting violations continue to top the list for heavy‐duty commercial trucks. For example, one report found that over 300,000 lighting violations (inoperable required lamps) were recorded among U.S. trucks in a year, representing about 11.7 % of all inspection violations. TT News+ Older halogen headlamps, faded lenses, or sub-standard aftermarket replacements may not give drivers the reaction time they need when darkness falls early during the standard‐time half of the year.

When selecting lighting equipment, it’s wise to focus on high-quality, American-made manufacturers and aftermarket systems built for heavy-duty truck use. For example, Truck‑Lite Co., manufactures commercial-vehicle forward lighting assemblies (including 7-inch LED headlights) at U.S. facilities in New York and Pennsylvania.

Likewise, Whelen Engineering is another U.S. company offering heavy‐duty LED lighting for commercial vehicles and clearly markets its

American-manufactured status as their manufacturing plant is located here in New Hampshire. These brands focus on durability, beam pattern optimization, and longevity, which are exactly the attributes needed when many driving hours fall into low-light periods after the clock change. In addition, Berube's Truck Accessories carries Optronics/USA Harness brand lighting, headquartered in Tulsa,

Oklahoma and built in Goshen, Indiana for a wide array of functions. Our customers have a history of purchasing Maxxima brand headlights bringing a friendly price point to their purchases as well as peace of mind with an upstate NY manufacturer. 

Color temperature also plays a role in driving comfort and performance. Traditional halogen bulbs emit a yellowish light (around 3,000K), which can be straining over long periods. In contrast, high-quality LED headlights—such as Maxxima’s "MaxxHeat" Series or TRUX Accessories’ Chrome LED Projection Headlights—offer color temperatures ranging from 5,000K to 6,500K, producing a crisp white or slightly bluish light that improves visibility and reduces driver fatigue. These lights not only enhance safety but also give trucks a more modern and professional appearance on the road.

As you gear up for the changing seasons, now is the perfect time to take a hard look at your truck’s lighting system.

Every hour of visibility gained can be the difference between a close call and a safe trip home. With darker evenings arriving sooner after the fall time change, relying on dim or aging headlights isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. High-performance, American-made lighting from trusted brands like Truck‑Lite Co and Whelen Engineering offers the clarity, durability, and reliability professional drivers need to stay safe and seen.

Don’t wait for a burned-out bulb or a near miss to take action—upgrade your truck’s lighting today and drive with the confidence that you’re ready for whatever the darker roads bring.