‘Surge in road accidents’ as clocks go back

Drivers are being advised to take extra care on the road, with new data from Enterprise Rent-A-Car indicating road accidents increase by as much as 10% in the two weeks after the clocks go back.

Enterprise is one of the UK’s largest provider of replacement or ‘courtesy’ rentals. It works with motor insurers and bodyshops to provide rental vehicles for both business and private drivers who have had an accident and need to stay mobile.

Its data shows that demand for replacement cars, vans and trucks increased by 10% in the two weeks immediately after the clocks went back in 2021, compared to the two weeks beforehand.

Road accidents are more common in the winter months and this is thought to be because of shorter days with darker afternoons and evenings, which are peak commuting times, and poor weather conditions following the end of British Summer Time.

Stuart Sandell, head of replacement sales for the UK and Ireland at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said: “Many people are now either back in the office full-time or coming in several days a week, and they’ll be driving home in darker, more wintry conditions in the days after the clocks go back. A 5.30pm journey home in the twilight suddenly becomes a more treacherous journey home in the dark.

“Allowing extra time and planning your trip carefully will help to reduce risk, while carrying a few essentials in the car will help if you do break down or have an incident.

“We’re also advising businesses that allow employees to drive their own cars for business trips to ensure they check on the maintenance of those vehicles and to consider alternative forms of transport where possible.”