Drivers are being urged to keep a pair of sunglasses in their car after the clocks change.
Motoring association, The AA, issued the advice, warning that the low-lying sun creates visibility problems for motorists when sunlight reflects off wet roads.
Britons are set for darker evenings from this weekend – with clocks set to go back by an hour at 2am on Sunday.
The UK saw an average of 11% more crashes in the three weeks after the end of British Summer Time (BST) between 2022 and 2024, compared with the preceding three weeks, according to figures from AA Accident Assist.
The AA attributed this to “the likelihood of inclement weather” and darker evenings “catching some drivers out”.
Tim Rankin, managing director for AA Accident Assist, said: “Darker evenings seem to be catching some drivers out after the clocks go back, which has led to more collisions on the roads.
Read more:
Four Met Office warnings in place as Storm Benjamin hits
King lands in Rome to meet pope ahead of praying together
“Many of these crashes could have been avoided by simply keeping up with vehicle checks or by adjusting to autumn driving.
“Arguably, the best change would be to double the gap advice in the Highway Code, and leave a four-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
He added: “Most incidents involve a car running into the back of another, so allowing more time to stop could be the difference between a near-miss and an expensive claim.
“During the day, low-lying sun can blind drivers, especially after a downpour where the glare bounces off the wet road.
“Keeping a pair of sunglasses close by can help drivers see the road ahead.”
