As the annual October clock change takes place, drivers and pedestrians are being urged to take extra care on the road as darker evenings can present their own distinct driving hazards.
Indeed, our analysis here at Driving Experience of the latest government statistics found that 1,611 reported road casualties in 2019 were caused where poor visibility in darker driving conditions was a contributory factor, such as dazzling headlights or pedestrians wearing dark clothing, which will soon be more prevalent as the nights draw in.
Alex MacGregor from DrivingExperience.com says: "Year on year, there has been a significant number of incidents where driver visibility has resulted in a large number of accidents. All road users and pedestrians need to take extra care at this time of year, taking into consideration the change of circumstance as the clocks go back."
In fact, government data shows in the last five years there have been more than 1,600 reported road accidents when not displaying lights at night or in poor visibility was a contributory factor, while there have been almost 1,500 reported accidents when dazzling headlights were a contributory factor.
Driving Experience's analysis of the Department for Transport (DfT) data also found that, over the last five years, there were more than 5,700 reported accidents where a rider wearing dark clothing or a pedestrian wearing dark clothing at night was a contributory factor.
Alex adds: "As the darker months approach, just a few simple steps can make it safer for motorists and pedestrians. For drivers this includes keeping windscreens clear to reduce glare and condensation, while also remembering to dip the headlights when another vehicle is approaching. Meanwhile, pedestrians should consider bright clothing or reflective clothing, including arm and ankle bands or hi-vis jackets."
To find out more about some of the driving day packages Driving Experience offers that could help with maintaining good driving under testing road conditions this winter, head to our Skid Control Experiences and Driving Lessons pages to book at UK wide venues.
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