Clock change could lead to workload spike
Repairers could see an extra 10,000 jobs in the next fortnight after the clocks went back an hour over the weekend.
This is based on figures from the Department for Transport, as well as data from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which found that demand for replacement cars, vans and trucks jumped by an average of 8% for the past five years (2015-2019) in the two weeks immediately after the clocks go back.
Road accidents are more common in the winter months because of poor weather conditions and darker afternoons and evenings, but this year the increase could be even higher as more people use a car to avoid public transport.
Stuart Sandell, head of replacement sales for the UK and Ireland at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said: “The clocks going back marks the beginning of the winter driving season and that always presents more risks for drivers. As a lot of people get caught out in the weeks immediately afterwards and on into November, we would advise everyone to take special care when they drive after the clocks go back.
“Many more people are relying on a car as their main mode of travel since Covid-19. Many may be driving older, potentially less well-maintained vehicles with less modern safety equipment, and they are likely to be less accustomed to driving in dark, wet, icy conditions. Many drivers will also have chosen to defer their MOT due to Covid-19, which could further increase the risks.”
