Clocks change: Drivers should be be vigilant as crashes spike when time moves back an hour, AA says
The number of crashes in the fortnight after the clocks changed last year went up, leading motoring organisation AA to warn drivers to be vigilant.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: "When the clocks fall back we see a rise in the number of crashes.
"Many of these could be avoided by making small changes to driving habits.
Or by making one significant change to the clock meddling habit - don't do it.
8 comments:
I wonder how many crashes are caused by trying to re-enter the new time while driving.
I have two policies on changing the clock. (i) Whatever the habit is in your jurisdiction, don't change it. (ii) Never dare to use the lunatic expression "Daylight Saving Time".
Sam - not something I'd do - oh no.
dearieme - a problem we'd have with not changing is that so many gadgets change automatically, including electronic clocks and the central heating thermostat. Getting rid of the lunatic expression "Daylight Saving Time" would be a start though.
The question in my mind is what number of crashes happen because more of the 'rush hour' is in twilight - a more dangerous time to drive? Is there a similar increase in crashes when the clocks go forward?
Sorry for the stupid ambiguity. What I meant was "Whatever the habit is in your jurisdiction, don't change that habit."
DJ - that's probably significant, I certainly remember rush hour suddenly occurring during twilight.
dearieme - ah.
Many years back I could always tell the first morning of the working week - after the clocks go back - by the squealing of car fan* belts. During the preceding months, lights weren't needed on the drive to work & back, so wear could accumulate without being noticed, as the alternator didn't have much work to do. But as soon as lights and rear screen heaters were needed the worn belts protested! It seemed to particularly afflict 80's era Vauxhall's...
*Strictly speaking, few of them drive cooling fans now, but the term is so familiar.
Dave - happy days. I remember trying to start our Ford Escort once the cold and misty mornings came along. What fun that was.
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