Drivers are being urged to take extra care on Britain’s roads this week, as the UK prepares to turn the clocks back by one hour on Sunday 26 October.
The advice comes from leading motoring website TrackDays.co.uk, which has analysed official Department for Transport (DfT) data showing a clear rise in collisions immediately following the autumn clock change.
Analysis of the past decade of figures shows that, on average, Britain sees a 3% increase in road collisions in November compared with October – equivalent to more than 300 additional crashes – coinciding with the switch to darker evenings.
In some years, the rise has exceeded 1,100 extra collisions from one month to the next, underlining the heightened risks drivers face immediately after the clocks go back. Across the past decade, the October-to-November shift has added more than 3,400 extra crashes to Britain’s roads in total.
Road-safety organisations have long called for an end to seasonal clock changes, arguing that darker evenings put pedestrians, cyclists and children at greater risk of injury.
Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at TrackDays.co.uk, said: “Every year we see the same pattern – the nights draw in, visibility drops and accident numbers rise.
“Motorists need to take extra care: slow down, switch headlights on earlier and stay alert for pedestrians, cyclists and animals who are much harder to spot in the dark.”
TrackDays recommends that drivers take a few simple precautions as the nights close in:
1. Check all lights are working before setting off
2. Keep windscreens and mirrors clean to reduce glare
3. Leave extra distance between vehicles in poor visibility
4. Allow more time for journeys and avoid rushing, especially on unfamiliar routes
For those looking to boost their confidence, TrackDays also offers advanced safe-driving and skid-control courses designed to help motorists handle wet, icy or muddy conditions.
Imran added: “The clock change can catch drivers out every year. A few small adjustments behind the wheel can make a big difference as we head into winter.”
For more information, visit www.TrackDays.co.uk
