Clock Change Spells Danger For Road Users - News

• October's clock change often sees increase in road collisions in following days and weeks
• Safety organisations have long called for an end to the seasonal clock changes
• We issue driving advice as the evenings get darker, such as looking out for pedestrians and cyclists

Drivers and other road users are being warned of the unseen hazards on the UK's roads when the clocks change on Sunday 26th October.

We are issuing this advice on Trackdays, citing official government data confirming there are more road collisions in the days and weeks after the clocks have gone back by one hour.

Across the past decade, the October-to-November shift has seen more than 1,800 extra collisions on Great Britain's roads when comparing the two months.

There have long been calls from safety organisations for the UK government to bring an end to seasonal clock changes. They believe that more people are injured or killed due to darker evenings over autumn and winter than would be the case if British Summer Time (GMT+1) was kept throughout the year. For now, drivers should adapt to the increasing darkness by switching their headlights on earlier and reducing their speed.

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at Trackdays.co.uk, says: "Driving in the dark presents its own hazards, so motorists need to drive considerately and safely, including keeping to a sensible speed."

Other ways to drive as safely as possible in the dark include making sure the car lights work, looking out for pedestrians, children, cyclists and animals, keeping a safe distance between vehicles, plus checking that windows are clean to provide the best visibility.

Another option to stay safe includes taking part in a specific safer driving course. These teach drivers on how to avoid accidents, cope with wet weather driving, show how to handle snow, ice and muddy road driving, plus provide other helpful techniques.

Imran adds: "Many motorists don't like driving in the dark, so the October clock change is an unwelcome annual event. However, they can take some precautions to make life easier behind the wheel, including allowing adequate time for their journeys, thereby avoiding the need to rush, particularly if driving in unfamiliar surroundings."

"A safer Driving Lessons course is a further consideration, or a Skid Pan Control session which is particularly useful as the weather starts to take a turn for the worse at this time of year."