- AA and Tesco Bank warns drivers as stats show rise in autumn accidents
The clocks going back in autumn means most of us will be leaving work in the dark and suffer from a lack of vitamin D – but does it also statistically increase our chances of being involved in a road traffic collision?
It is an age-old adage that fewer sunlight hours triggers a rise in crashes – and the AA has been crunching the numbers to find out if this is truly the case.
And its analysis of official crash data shows it does prompt more accidents.
The clocks change this Sunday and the AA’s warning that last year it saw an 11 per cent rise in accident call outs in the fortnight after the 2023 October clock change
Clocks will go back an hour in the UK in the early hours of Sunday 27 October. This will mark the end of British Summer Time and daylight saving, and a return to Greenwich Mean Time
The AA found there is an 11 per cent increase of road traffic collisions in the two weeks following the clock change.
During rush hour, this rises by a further six per cent, leading to warnings to drivers to be more vigilant when the clocks change on Sunday.
The AA is reminding drivers extra precautions need to be taken due to the rise in collisions this seasonal change causes.
The AA’s Accident Assist team saw calls for its service rise by 11 per cent the fortnight after the 2023 October clock change compared to the fortnight before.
Tesco Bank Motor Insurance also saw claims for road accidents jump 17 per cent during rush hour after the clocks went back last year.
While darker evenings, wet weather and slippery streets all contribute to increased collisions in late October and early November, one of the most challenging conditions is the low-lying sun and glare off the roads.
Tesco Bank Motor Insurance saw claims for road accidents jump by a sixth during rush hour after the clocks went back last year
Last month the AA found that almost three quarters of drivers said the worst thing about driving in autumn was being dazzled by the sun.
More than half said other drivers not using their lights properly is a problem in autumn, while two fifths said darker mornings and evening were the worst aspect of autumnal driving.
According to the 2023 road casualty statistics, there were 3,680 collisions where someone was injured or killed due do the driver’s vision was affected by adverse weather or dazzling sun.
Similarly, there were 4,244 injury collisions where the road surface was slippery due to weather conditions.
Tim Rankin, managing director of the motoring organisation’s Accident Assist department, said: ‘Our stats are clear that when the clocks fall back we see a rise in the number of crashes.
‘Many of these could be avoided by making small changes to driving habits.
‘Dazzle by low-lying sun can make a journey challenging, but being in control of your lights is easy. Leaving the stalk on ‘auto’ is not always the best way forward.
‘We urge drivers to help light the way to help them see others and help other see you.’
He added: ‘Arguably, driving in autumn is the most testing as the weather cam change from cold and wet, to bright and sunny.
‘The best advice is to drive to the conditions, ensure your car is in good condition and to look out for other road users.’
Last month the AA found that almost three quarters of drivers said the worst thing about driving in autumn was being dazzled by the sun
Tesco Bank is also recommending drivers to leave extra space between cars, keep your windscreen and windows clean, pay extra attention to pedestrians and cyclists and get your eyes tested.
Dave Thompson, from Tesco Bank, adds: ‘The clocks going back plunges evenings into darkness, and our data reveals this change leads to a rise in the number of road accident claims.
‘For anyone using the roads, it’s important to take that extra bit of care as the clocks go back to reduce the chances of a collision.
‘Give other road users more space, leave more time for journeys, and make sure you are visible on the roads.
‘Now is also a good time for some pre-winter car maintenance, before temperatures drop.’
