The start of daylight saving time in the ACT brings with it the potential for greater fatigue and sleep disturbances as well as a shift in routines and conditions, experts warn.
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Factors that could contribute to tiredness as well as more traffic this long weekend include the footy finals, school holidays and the warmer weather.
Kristen Pammer, an associate professor at the Australian National University's Research School of Psychology, warned people would be "more tired" for a week or two during the transition period.
"Sleep patterns could be disrupted, with people going to bed later or earlier," Dr Pammer said.
"That's something to be careful of, particularly for people who have very strict patterns of behaviour."
As a researcher, Dr Pammer is interested in "attention and driving", working closely with the NRMA Road Safety Trust, among others.
She advised the average good driver to "be aware and try not to change your behaviour too much".
Linda Schachter, a member of the University of Canberra's Sleep Clinic and director of the Sleep and Lifestyle Clinic in Phillip, described sleep deprivation as "one of the biggest issues in our society".
She said being awake for 16 hours had a similar effect on reflexes and responses to having a 0.5 per cent blood alcohol concentration.
And it was "completely untrue" that people could do away with a good night's shut-eye without losing alertness and concentration.
Both experts warned the switch to daylight saving would herald another change.
"The light is going to be in very different places," Dr Pammer said.
As an illustration, the 5pm glare would be "quite different" when driving home this week, compared to last week, as would backing out of the driveway in the morning.
"The sun will be in a totally different location," Dr Pammer added.
Not only could the altered conditions affect driving visibility and concentration, but the change in light has an impact on what Dr Schachter called "the normal signals that tell us to go to bed".
With darkness occurring later, people stay up longer and the result is "a double-whammy" in terms of sleep deprivation.
ACT Policing issued a reminder that double demerit points were in effect and urged people to take breaks when travelling.
"A tired driver becomes a dangerous driver," said Station Sergeant Susan Ball.
