Van delivery drivers: darker morning dangers

British Summer Time begins Sunday 29 March

British summer time begins on Sunday, 29 April.

The clocks move forward one hour and daylight savings begin.

However, the time change means van drivers and delivery drivers, who have enjoyed the lighter mornings, will be driving to work in darkness for the next few weeks. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) warns there are dangers that come with driving in the dark during peak hours.

Director of IAM policy and research, Neil Greig, said: “IAM research has shown that most accidents happen during peak hours. For the first few weeks of the clock change, van drivers will need to get used to driving in darker conditions and take extra care.”

Reduced visibility makes it harder to read the road ahead and yields less information for a driver.

Other road users, road signs and objects are harder to see and road conditions and edges become indistinct.

Drivers will also find it harder to wake up and are more likely to grow tired. An estimated one in five motorway crashes are fatigue related.

Further information

Read the advice article on The law and tiredness at the wheel