The clocks go back one hour this Sunday, which means there’s an increased risk of motorists being involved in an incident on the county’s roads.
The clocks change at 2am on Sunday 30 October when the UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) by going back to 1am. The time change reduces daylight in the evenings but extends it in the mornings.
For many, the clocks going back will simply mean an extra hour in bed; however, county insurance broker Henshalls says motorists are up to 30 per cent more likely to be involved in an incident over the coming weeks following the time change.
“We have always known that the risk of an accident on the roads increases at this time of the year, particularly during evening rush hour,” says Bryan Cutter, from the firm’s Newport office.
“But now, research from insurance group Insure The Box has backed this up with some startling statistics.
“Their figures show that the risk of drivers having an accident increases by as much as 10 per cent in the first four weeks after the change of clocks in October.
“But for drivers who are on the roads between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, when the light is fading fast and routes are at their busiest, the figure rises to a shocking 30 per cent.”
Henshalls, which has offices in Newport and Shrewsbury, says young drivers are particularly at risk.
“For those who have only passed their test this year, this will be their first experience of driving during rush-hour in the dark, and it presents very different conditions, including reduced visibility,” says Bryan.
“The message is clear: younger and less experienced drivers in particular need to appreciate the danger, and take a safe and sensible approach to driving as we head into the winter months.”
The findings from Insure The Box are based on the analysis of accident data from a three-year period, covering more than 330,000 policyholders.
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