Maryland warns of 13% rise in pedestrian crashes as Baltimore sunsets drop below 5 p.m.

Sunset in Baltimore occurred at approximately 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, marking the first time this year the sun set before 5 p.m. This shift follows the change to standard time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, which reduced the time between the end of the workday and the start of darkness by roughly an hour.

The Maryland Department of Transportation warned that this change creates hazardous conditions for commuters. An Oct. 27 release from the State Highway Administration and the Motor Vehicle Administration noted that research indicates fatal crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists can increase by as much as 13% in the weeks following the time change.

State agencies reported that Maryland recorded 2,704 pedestrian-related crashes in 2025. This figure represents a 7% decrease from the previous year. Those incidents resulted in 101 pedestrian fatalities and 2,399 injuries, according to the data released by the state.

Will Pines, the Maryland State Highway Administrator, addressed the risk in a statement. “We urge all roadway users to slow down, eliminate distractions and help protect our most vulnerable travelers,” Pines said.

Civil twilight in Baltimore ended at approximately 5:33 p.m. on Sunday. This means that usable light disappears shortly after the sun sets. The earliest sunsets of the year will occur in early December rather than on the winter solstice. Sunset is expected to reach its lowest point of about 4:43 p.m. between Dec. 2 and Dec. 12, with the earliest specific time falling around Dec. 7.

The shortest day of the year remains the solstice on Dec. 21, which will offer about 9 hours and 23 minutes of daylight. However, mornings will not begin to brighten until mid-January. The latest sunrise in Baltimore is scheduled for the first week of January at approximately 7:27 a.m.

State officials provided specific guidance for residents navigating the darker months. Drivers are advised to check vehicle lights and exercise caution when turning at intersections. Pedestrians should wear reflective clothing and use marked crosswalks where streetlights are available. Commuters should expect the 5 p.m. rush hour to occur in near-darkness through January. Parents with children in after-school activities ending around 5 p.m. should note that these events will finish at or after sunset for most of November and December.