As the clocks spring forward once again, making way for lighter evenings and the Great British Summertime, Road safety charity Brake is calling on political parties to commit to setting the clocks an hour ahead all year round, to reduce the number of accidents on the UK’s roads.
Brake says that by making the most of available daylight all year round, the UK’s roads and streets will be safer because less people will be travelling in darkness.
The charity estimates that, by moving the clocks to GMT +1 in the winter months and GMT +2 during summer, as many as 80 road traffic accident fatalities and hundreds of serious injuries could be prevented. The change would save the NHS £138 million annually, Brake says.
Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive of the charity, said: “Putting the clocks forward by an hour year-round is a simple move that would have a wide range of benefits for society, including helping to cut devastating road casualties.
“With more daylight available in the afternoons and evenings, people would be safer and feel more confident getting out and about on foot or bike, whether to get back from school or work or for recreation. Our communities would be more social, enjoyable places. As British summertime gets underway, we’re calling on whoever forms the next government to waste no time, and implement these changes.”
Find out more about the campaign by visiting Brake’s website here.