Dark mornings under permanent daylight time spark school safety fears

Manitoba's shift to permanent daylight saving time has left many students walking or commuting to school in pre-dawn darkness, raising safety worries for parents and school divisions. Winnipeg parent Sara Gerullis said early middle-school drop-offs around 7 a.m. have been very dark and required reflective gear. Sunrise is near 8:25 a.m. now and could reach about 9:24 a.m. in midwinter. St. James-Assiniboia assistant superintendent Jaime Siska noted most students arrive in low light as schools start between 8:20 a.m. and 9 a.m. The division is buying LED batons for crossing guards and urging drivers to stay extra alert on mornings.