AA issues road safety warning as British Summer Time begins

As British Summer Time (BST) begins this weekend, the AA has urged motorists to take extra care on the roads, highlighting the increased risk of fatigue-related collisions following the loss of an hour’s sleep.

The AA warned that tiredness resulting from the clock change, which takes place in the early hours of Sunday 30th March, could impair driver performance and increase the risk of serious incidents.

Drivers are being reminded that winding down windows or turning up the radio are not effective ways to combat sleepiness behind the wheel. Instead, the AA advised taking a proper break.

On longer journeys, motorists should stop every two hours to rest and refresh. Additional advice on avoiding tired driving is available via the AA’s website.

According to the latest Great Britain Road Casualty Statistics for 2023, there were 1,326 collisions where the driver was deemed too tired to drive or ride safely. Of these, 43 were fatal.

Although driving when tired is not an offence in itself, the AA also warned that it substantially increases the likelihood of committing other serious driving offences, including causing death by dangerous driving – an offence which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

The AA’s data also showed that 13% of drivers aged 18 to 24 said they did not believe tiredness affects their ability to drive, compared to just 2% of all drivers.

Additionally, 18% of young drivers admitted that they would usually continue driving even if they felt tired, in contrast to 3% of all motorists.