While you got an extra hour in bed this weekend, for many of us, when the clocks go back remains a nuisance at best and a genuine worry at worst. This is reflected by a new survey from Tempcover that reveals nearly half of us (45%) feel less confident on the road while driving in the evening.

The reasons citied for this drop are:

  • Headlight glare from other cars (56%)
  • Reduced visibility (47%)
  • Poorly lit roads (44%)
  • Wintry nights and adverse weather conditions (41%)
  • Concerns about other drivers’ behaviour (32%)
  • Fear of hitting wildlife (20%)
  • Feeling more tired in the evenings (16%)
  • Difficulty seeing due to eyesight issues (15%)

Also, 35% of drivers polled deliberately avoid heading out in their car at night.

Justified fears

Such concerns are legitimate. For instance, research from the AA’s Accident Assist team showed there was an 11% increase in crashes during the fortnight after the clocks switched in 2023 compared to the two weeks before.

The RAC’s data backs these figures up, stating that there were nearly 20 more personal injury collisions each day after the time change, while dash cam specialist Nextbase’s data reveals that crash rates shot up by 55% between 5pm and 5.59pm after the clocks went back.

Protect yourself

To ensure you remain as safe as possible during the autumn and winter months, the experts from The College of Optometrists and the RAC offer the following timely advice:

  • Ensure the inside and outside of your windscreen is smudge-free and always clean.
  • Ensure your glasses are clean and smudge-free, too, if you need them to drive.
  • Head to your local optician for regular eyes tests – better safe than sorry.
  • Use the side of the road or kerb to guide you when driving if you’re confronted by a car with dazzling lights coming the other way.
  • Use the dim setting on your rear view mirror if it has one to lessen the impact of glaring lights behind you.
  • Always ensure you dip your own lights whenever a car is approaching and be considerate at all times – and don’t over rely on systems that dip them automatically.
  • Go slower at night to give yourself more braking distance in case something should go wrong.

“Longer periods of darkness in the mornings and evenings, combined with unpredictable autumn and winter weather, significantly increase the risk of road traffic collisions. We’re urging drivers to take extra care, slow down in poor conditions, allow more time for journeys, and be mindful of vulnerable road users. It’s also vital to ensure your vehicle is winter-ready: check your tyres, lights, and windscreen wipers, and top up washer fluid to maintain clear visibility.”

• Sergeant Danielle Ashley, Roads Crime Unit, North Wales Police

Get confident

If you’re a learner and worried about driving at night – or during twilight at rush hour – do consider asking your instructor for a lesson or two at those times.

With their expert guidance, you can build up experience of what’s it like to drive in challenging conditions – so you’ll become one of the 55% whose confidence doesn’t falter when the clocks go back each year.

Know Your Code

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