Crash claims following the clock change up eight per cent
Crash claims rose by nearly eight per cent in the fortnight after the clocks went back last year.
Data from AA Accident Assist showed that the number of AA members making a claim increased from 2,949 in the two weeks before the October 2025 clock change to 3,178 in the fortnight afterwards.
With the clocks going back on Sunday, 25 October, the AA is urging drivers to adapt their driving as darker evening journeys return and autumn conditions make visibility more challenging.
Previous AA research of more than 10,500 drivers found 40% said they dislike driving during darker mornings and evenings, while 73% said their biggest autumn driving bugbear was dazzle from low-lying sun.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “An eight per cent increase in claims after the clocks went back last year is a timely reminder that drivers need to adapt as autumn takes hold.
“The clocks changing can mean a sudden difference to our regular journeys. A commute home that was made in daylight just a few weeks ago can suddenly be made in darkness, while autumn can also bring low sun, rain, slippery roads and poor visibility.
“Our research shows just how challenging visibility can be at this time of year. Simple changes can make a difference such as ensuring your lights are working and keeping your windscreen clean inside and out. Reducing your speed and leaving more space between yourself and others can also make a big difference.”
