Spring Forward...Fall Back

Driving advice for when the clocks change

Drivers should bear safety in mind as British Summer Time ends and we head towards winter.

• Optimum driving conditions are now ending after an autumn of reasonably good weather, so drivers may need to reduce speed commensurate with bad light and weather conditions.

• More hours of darkness as the clocks go back may require even greater concentration and slower speeds - especially in the early evening when children may still be on their way home from school in the dark.

• It's worth remembering that speed limits are not targets; they are there as a guide for driving in optimum conditions.

• The period between late afternoon and early evening - the time when most casualties happen - is now in darkness.

Driver safety suggestions:

• Don't wait until it's fully dark to turn your lights on; consider seeing and being seen whenever conditions are dull.

• Don't drive on your parking lights; use dipped headlights.

• As a rule-of-thumb your dipped headlights or main beam should be on whenever your windscreen wipers are on.

• Keep your eyes 'on main beam' and remember; if you look to the far distance you'll see the things below your focal point - if you look below that focal point you will not see the things above it. Try it!

• As light fades take particular care where children may be playing, especially between 4pm and 6pm.

• Look out for pedestrians and for cyclists wearing dark clothing.

• Check that your windscreen wiper blades are in good condition and that the washer reservoir is topped up. It's an offence to let it run out.

• Keep the inside of the windscreen clean and clear by wiping away that summer haze before it begins to diffuse the low winter sun.

• Check your lights and tyres, including your spare tyre and carry a spare set of light bulbs.

• Keep your head lamps and tail lamps clean to keep them bright.

  
  

Our message is simple. See and be seen.