Clock change means extra care to stay safe

Now that the clocks have changed and darker nights are here, it’s a timely reminder to think about staying safe when you and your loved ones are out and about.

Of course everyone’s focus is understandably on ‘staying safe’ from coronavirus right now and doing what we can to limit the spread of the virus.

But at this time of year, with the arrival of darker afternoons, we also need to be aware of the increased risks of accidents.

Traditionally this is the time of year when there’s an increase in the number of serious injury accidents and even fatalities.

During the week, casualty rates peak between 5pm-6pm for adults, and 3.30pm-4.30pm for children. These times coincide with the evening rush hours and school runs, which can be dangerous due to the volume of traffic, and even more so in the winter months when these journeys are made in the dark.

It has been observed that each year from when the clocks go back in October, the peak in evening road casualties shifts to the hour after sunset.

Research has also found that serious and fatal pedestrian collisions increase 10 per cent in the four weeks after the clocks go back.

Pedestrians and cyclists, road signs, and other road users are harder to spot.

Drivers are also more tired after a day’s work, so concentration levels tend to be lower in the evenings than in the mornings

With more than 25 years of specialising in serious and catastrophic accident claims and being an accredited Senior Litigator member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a not-for-profit organisation representing injured people, my priority is to prevent accidents happening in the first place. 

The focus of Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, and of APIL, is that we want to see a society without needless injury.

APIL has a renewed focus on public safety and preventing needless injury through raising awareness of the dangers at this time of year.

There are some simple measures which we can all take to reduce the likelihood of accidents happening.

For cyclists, or pedestrians, it starts by making sure we can be easily seen by other road users, particularly important for children if they walk or cycle to and from school or college, and that we take extra care to ensure we look out for others.

It’s up to us all to think twice and, before we leave the house, the workplace, or school or college, to take a moment to make sure that what we are wearing means we can be easily seen in the dark.

Add in the bad weather at this time of year and if we use any sort of transport we need to make sure that it is fit for the road. Many garages will offer to carry out a winter check. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and when you consider what’s at stake, it’s a small price to pay to ensure you are doing all you can to avoid being involved in an accident.

It’s also important if you are driving at this time of year to take extra care and to anticipate danger. You won’t always be able to see hidden dangers because of the dark, and not every driver will be as cautious as you are, so it’s worthwhile being extra vigilant.

If you, or a relative or friend, do find yourselves unfortunate enough to be involved in a serious injury accident then you can contact me and I will do all I can to help.

As a member of APIL, I am proud to support the injured, and help to rebuild lives.

You can contact Carol Fish on 01228 516666