Motorists are urged to be prepared for the dangers of low-lying sun as the clocks go back this weekend.
It is almost that time of the year that many people dread – the clocks change back by one hour, marking the end of British Summer Time.
The clocks will go back on Sunday, October 26, at 2am.
Adjusting to the seemingly small change can feel surprisingly difficult, with some people struggling with jet lag-like symptoms.
On the roads, the clock change can have a dangerous impact due to changing weather like wet roads and darker evenings.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.
UK roads saw around 11% more crashes in the three weeks after the end of the British Summer Time between 2022 and 2024 compared with the preceding three weeks, figures from the AA motoring association’s Accident Assist show.
There is also another hazard drivers should be wary of – bright sun, which can catch many off guard.
What to do if you are blinded by sun when driving
Being blinded by sunlight while behind the wheel could lead to a serious accident.
Picking up a pair of sunglasses is a good first step before setting off. Experts recommend having a pair with polarised lenses, which can help against glare and direct sunlight.
In bright conditions, don’t forget to pop down the sun visor as it can help block out some sun.
Drivers should give their windscreen a good wipe before setting off because a dirty windscreen can worsen the glare.
If you are caught in low sun, leave double the space between you and the car in front for a bit of extra time in case of a sudden stop.
And in the worst case, if you can’t see anything because of the glare, pull over in a safe place until the sun moves or dips.
The AA has now issued a warning for drivers to carry sunglasses with them.
During the day, wet road surfaces coupled with low-lying sun can cause visibility problems when the light reflects off the road surface.
Tim Ranking, the managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: ‘Darker evenings seem to be catching some drivers out after the clocks go back, which has led to more collisions on the roads.
‘Many of these crashes could have been avoided by simply keeping up with vehicle checks or by adjusting to autumn driving.
(Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)
‘Arguably, the best change would be to double the gap advice in the Highway Code, and leave a four-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front.
‘Most incidents involve a car running into the back of another, so allowing more time to stop could be the difference between a near-miss and an expensive claim.
‘During the day, low-lying sun can blind drivers, especially after a downpour where the glare bounces off the wet road.
‘Keeping a pair of sunglasses close by can help drivers see the road ahead.’
The safe gap rule in the Highway Code
The Highway Code rule 126 dictates that drivers should ‘leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance.’
It also says to allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on high-speed roads and in tunnels where visibility is reduced.
‘The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and up to ten times greater on icy roads,’ the Highway Code says.
Large vehicles like lorries and coaches, and motorcycles, need more distance to stop.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
