End of British summer time could spell disaster on roads

Zurich Insurance advises motorists to take care as the car insurer reveals that drivers are 20 per cent more likely to have a motor accident after the clocks go back and the nights draw in.

In 2005, 12,400 Zurich Insurance policyholders claimed for accidents in the four weeks leading up to the end of British Summer Time. In the four weeks after, the figure rose by 17.1 per cent with 14,560 accident claims.

Andy Price, Practice Leader for Motor Fleet at Zurich Risk Services, said, ‘Motorists have been used to driving in daylight and now they have to adapt to night-time driving as the evenings turn darker. Add to that the fact that the weather has been very wet and the winter can bring other adverse weather conditions like snow and ice, and the possibility of having an accident rises significantly. That's why we've put some basic hints and tips together to help motorists stay safe:

Consider whether your journey is necessary at all. If it is, you have started a journey and the weather conditions deteriorate, consider stopping or turning back.

Always check the weather forecast before setting out on a journey, and follow the advice of the emergency services if they are advising against travel.

Make sure your windows are kept clean - in poor weather conditions and at night, any smears or marks on your windows will increase the glare from oncoming headlights, reducing visibility. Looking through a smeared windscreen at night is very tiring, so you will also tire quicker.

Ensure that you keep your lights clean - this will help you to see the road ahead and, equally importantly, help other road users to see you.

Ensure that your tyre pressures are correct - incorrectly inflated tyres will increase your stopping distance and adversely affect the handling characteristics of your vehicle, especially on wet roads. Also ensure that your tyres have plenty of tread left on them.

Ensure that your windscreen washer bottle is kept topped up and that you use a screenwash-water mixture to ensure that this does not freeze in cold weather.

Allow greater stopping distances in poor weather conditions – you should be travelling at least 4 seconds from the vehicle in front, and allow even greater distances if you think the road might by icy.