Teams from the AA and Tesco Bank carried out research to find out how the change to winter time in autumn affects the likelihood of being involved in road accidents.
This is reported by the Daily Mail.
According to the AA, in the two weeks after the change to winter time, the number of traffic accidents increased by 11%. Additionally, the fare increases another 6% during peak hours, highlighting the importance of warning drivers to pay attention on the first Sunday after daylight saving time.
Tesco Bank Motor Insurance also supports these findings. According to their data, the number of compensation for damage due to traffic accidents increases by 17% during the time change period. A particularly notable increase in these payments is recorded at the end of October and beginning of November, that is, between a week and a half and two weeks after the transition to winter time.
The AA surveyed drivers about their behavior in the first weeks after the clock change. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they felt blinded by sunlight in the fall. About 40% of drivers said dark mornings and evenings are the worst times to travel in the fall, especially after the change to daylight saving time.
The AA’s accident assistance director, Tim Rankine, says its statistics “clearly show that when the clocks go back, we see an increase in the number of accidents.”
“Many of them could be avoided if small changes were made to drivers’ habits. It is the glare of the sun under which can make driving difficult, but it is possible to control this process. We encourage drivers to illuminate the road more often. so that all road users can see each other,” Rankine said.
Tesco Bank spokesperson Dave Thompson also advises drivers to leave adequate space between vehicles, regularly keep windscreens and windows clean and keep a close eye on pedestrians and cyclists. If a driver has light sensitivity problems, he advises not to hesitate to consult an ophthalmologist for a vision test.
“Moving the hands of the clock plunges the nights into darkness, and our data shows that this change leads to an increase in the number of accident claims. We therefore ask that you take extra care to reduce the likelihood of collisions. We advise drivers to pay attention more space for other cars, increase travel time and ensure that other road users see you And, of course, it is essential to check the technical condition of your car before the period begins. winter,” Thompson emphasized.
Previously “Cursor” wrote that scientists have found that the transition to daylight saving time can pose a danger to both drivers and other people. As part of the study, 23 drivers were asked to take a test in a simulator, driving 11.5 kilometers on a variety of routes, including country roads, city streets and highways.
