If I could turn back time

Over half (58 per cent) of Brits are against turning the clocks back as millions say they feel depressed, at greater risk of accidents and injury and are reluctant to leave the house during the darker winter months, according to new research from Santander General Insurance.

30 per cent of Britons feel the clocks should not go back at all, and a further 28 per cent believe the UK should adopt Central European Time, to allow for two extra hours of daylight in the evenings. According to the research, more than 22 million people in Britain will suffer a case of the winter blues this year, as 45 per cent say they feel depressed during the darker winter months.

Concerns are mounting as one in four people (12.3 million) say they feel more at risk to personal injury as the evenings draw in and 36 per cent (17.7 million) believe there is an increased risk of driving accidents. One in four people also say they feel more at risk from burglary as the evenings get darker.

Winter worries across Britain 
  
Depression 45%
Driving accidents 36%   
Personal injury 25% 
Burglary 24%    
Heating and lighting bills 20%    
Children's safety in the evening 14%    

(Percentage of people in Britain who have these concerns about dark winter months)

Miguel Sard, CEO Santander Insurance, commented:  "Darker evenings are an intimidating prospect for many people and that fear is not unfounded. In fact, there is evidence of a strong correlation between crime and the evenings getting darker. There's a lot that can be done to help avoid accidents and crime when it starts to get dark though, from being extra vigilant to installing extra safety measures like burglar alarms, but unfortunately there are just no guarantees.

"Because of the high risk associated with this time of year, it's important that people have reliable, comprehensive home insurance, to ensure they have peace of mind and to offer protection for these eventualities."