Dark days mean lights up

SUFFOLK motorists are today urged to switch on their headlights as the clocks are due to go back this weekend and nights are set to draw in.

The warning comes from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) after it has been revealed the number of people to die on Great Britain's roads increased 11per cent last year in the month after the clocks went back.

Government statistics in the Road Casualties Great Britain report from last year show the number of people who died in October was 287 but in November it was 319.

It also showed deaths and serious injuries among pedestrians rose from 609 in October to 738 in November.

The Evening Star can reveal the figures just days after it launched a campaign called Light Up, Belt Up and Shut Up - which involves calling for drivers to use their head lights in dark mornings and early evenings. It also asks people to wear their seatbelts and stop using mobile phones.

A spokeswoman for RoSPA said: “The clocks going back signal an increase in road accidents.

“Deteriorating weather conditions combined with dark evenings mean bad news for road users and pedestrians.

“Motorists need to keep a look out for pedestrians and cyclists who are hard to see and should also check their lights are clean before every journey so they are working at their best.”

RoSPA are promoting National Commute Smart Day on November 1.

Research has found that car users are at most risk of being killed or injured between 4pm and 6pm than at any other time during the week. More people are killed or injured in the early evening on Fridays than at any other time of the week.

N Do you think motorists who do not use the headlights are a major cause of accidents? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

British Summer Time finishes this weekend when the clocks go back an hour at 2am on Sunday morning.

Weblink:

www.rospa.co.uk