Accidents to increase with clock changes
The latest data from insurethebox revealed the true cost motorists pay for an extra hour in bed, with an overall 14% increase in accidents across the UK. And the loss in daylight in the evening appears to have a particularly marked impact with a 36% increase in accidents between 5.00pm and 8.00pm.
In Greater London the sun sets at 5.45pm on Saturday 26 October; one day later it sets at 4.43pm; that’s 58 minutes less daylight in the evening. But more significant is the difference in daylight in the evening from the start of one working week to the next. The sun sets 73 minutes earlier on Monday 28 October at 4.42pm compared to Monday 21 October when it sets at 5.55pm. The latest analysis is released ahead of this weekend’s clock change, to encourage all motorists to be mindful of the lower visibility, which is made even more hazardous as winter weather conditions set in.
The analysis of customer driving data from insurethebox shows the evening rush hour brings the biggest risk of accidents between the hours of 5.00pm and 8.00pm in the weeks directly following the clock change.
The risk varies across the country with the North of England reporting one of the highest increases in accident rates between the months of October and November with a 48% increase in the evening and an eight per cent increase in the morning rush hour.
Scotland and the East of England also see a sizable increase in accident rates during the home time commute with 51% and 48% increases in incidents respectively.
Londoners are the least affected by the clock change in the evening commute compared to other UK regions with a 22% increase in accidents. The Welsh motoring community actually see a 45% decrease in accidents in the morning rush hour – perhaps aided by the lighter mornings.
Young drivers, aged 17-25, with less experience on the roads are likely to be more vulnerable – especially if they are facing their first experience of driving in wintry conditions since passing their test. Their normal drive home from work will be much darker than usual after this weekend.
Simon Rewell, road safety manager at insurethebox, commented: “insurethebox data shows that accident risk increases as a direct result of the clocks going back. For many young drivers, the evenings after the clock change will be their first experience of driving in the dark, coping with different conditions like reduced visibility. Nearly five billion miles of driving data accumulated over nearly 10 years provides us with an extensive dataset, enabling us to spot trends and help our customers – before they need to make a claim”.
