Calls for Daylight Saving Time to be abolished
Clocks in many countries around the world will be wound back an hour this Sunday (October 28th) as they switch to Daylight Saving Time.
There will be an extra hour in bed; however, UK Government figures suggest that sticking with British Summer Time (BST) all year round could improve road safety.
Darker evenings bring a rise in road casualty rates, according to figures from the Department for Transport.
It is claimed that keeping the clocks in BST could prevent around 80 deaths and at least 200 serious injuries on UK’s roads every year.
The number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in November is 14% higher than the monthly average. The number of cyclist casualties rise by 5% while motorcycle casualties per vehicle mile are 28% more common.
Simon Best, Chief Executive of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, believes that lighter evenings would save lives.
“While an extra hour of daylight would help to make the commute home much safer for all road users, children, cyclists and motorcyclists would benefit most,” he said.
“We want to see a three-year trial of the new daylight system. If the trial period proves the new daylight hours have a positive effect on road safety, it is clear that it is the system we should keep.
“With convincing evidence of the potential benefits, it is only right that we pilot a new system.”
The Daylight Saving Bill would have delivered a three-year trial of Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour in the winter (GMT +1) and GMT +2 in the summer.
However, the Bill was “talked out” of the House of Commons in January 2012 despite overwhelming support from 120 MPs.
David Williams, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, added: “Changing the clocks only adds further to the dangers for road users.
“The reduced daylight hours not only mean that motorists are driving in the dark during rush hour, but pedestrians and other road users, particularly school children, are also at an increased risk.
“Poor weather, decreased visibility, and bad road conditions are all rife during the winter months and have a serious effect on the rise in number of accidents and hazardous breakdown situations.”