“Studies have shown that 450 lives and serious injuries could be saved each year if we stayed one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter and two hours ahead in the summer.”

RoSPA is lobbying the government for such a change.

In the meantime, AA Business Services has prepared this guidance for all business drivers:

Driving advice for the clocks going back

• Plan your route in advance
• Allocate enough time to reach your destination
• Get up at least 10 minutes earlier – so you can prepare the car
• Carry a series of essential items that can help you in the event of a breakdown or adverse weather: ice scraper, de-icer, torch, first-aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat and jump leads
• Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in …
• …drivers must accept the inevitability of being late for work if they are caught up in an unexpected delay.

As the clocks go back, driving risk increases