“We are seriously concerned that there will be a lot of crashes and injuries this year,” states GEM road safety officer Neil Worth.
“The clocks have gone back at the end of the half term break, so no one will be used to the dark evenings which will immediately affect the end of the school day,” he explains.
“It’s worth remembering that around 50% more fatal and serious injury collisions occur in the evening rush hour than in the morning,” he adds.
GEM also worries that fog will be a significant factor over the next few days. “Forecasts indicate continued high pressure and clear weather, with the probability of fog forming after dark,” says Worth.
GEM regrets what it describes as the intransigent UK government position on maintaining the long-held rule of returning to Greenwich Mean Time for the winter five months.
“Experts estimate 80 deaths and more than 200 serious injuries would be prevented on the UK’s roads each year,” comments Worth.
“Putting the clocks back is a pointless task from which the vast majority of people in this country draw no benefit… It’s time the UK Government sees sense and puts the safety and security of its citizens first in this respect.”