23/10/2026
New research from car insurance provider Ageas highlights a rise in evening commute collisions after the autumn clock change. Its analysis of more than 500,000 Department for Transport collision records from 2021 to 2025 found that 5pm collisions increased by 43% nationwide in the three weeks after the clocks went back.
The figures also point to a greater risk of more serious incidents. Nationwide, serious injury collisions at 5pm rose by 54% after the clock change, while fatal collisions increased by 42%. Ageas said 90% of the additional 5pm collisions in its analysis happened on wet, damp or otherwise adverse road surfaces.
Regional increases
Rises in 5pm collisions in the three weeks after the clock change, compared with the three weeks before:
* Wales: 83%
* North West: 78%
* Scotland: 75%
* West Midlands: 62%
* Yorkshire and the Humber: 61%
* East of England: 41%
* South East: 34%
* North East: 30%
* London: 29%
* South West: 28%
* East Midlands: 26%
Autumn driving reminders
- Check vehicle lights,
- Reduce speed to suit the conditions,
- Allow extra braking distance,
- Take care on roads covered with wet leaves,
- Keep windscreens clean to reduce glare,
- Clear interior misting before setting off,
- Check tyre pressures as temperatures fall,
- Drivers should also be alert for wildlife around dawn and dusk, particularly on wooded or semi-rural routes.
