The change to winter time not only affects our daily routine, but also poses significant risks to road safety and mobility.
By turning the clock back, it gets dark earlier in the evening, which reduces visibility on the road. This can lead to extra traffic jams and an increased risk of accidents, especially during the evening rush hour, because motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are less visible in the twilight and darkness. Research shows that the limited visibility and reduced alertness of road users in the early darkness play a significant role in the increase in traffic incidents during this period.
The first few days after the clock change can be particularly risky, according to road safety experts. Road users experience a disruption of their biorhythm, which can cause fatigue, especially in the elderly and people with a fixed sleep pattern. This fatigue leads to slower reaction times and reduced alertness, factors that are crucial when driving a vehicle. “It is clear in the first week after the time change that people have to adapt to the new circumstances,” says a safety expert. “Especially in the dark and in bad weather, extra caution is required.”
wintertime
The effects of winter time are also noticeable in public transport, where passengers may experience longer waiting times and delays. The twilight and dark conditions require more precautions, such as speed restrictions, especially for bus and train traffic. The adjustments required for this, such as additional lighting or reduced speed, often lead to delays in practice. In addition, weather conditions, such as rain and fog, can further reduce visibility during this period, which affects the safety of both passengers and staff.
The introduction of winter time originated from the desire to save energy by using more daylight in the morning hours. In practice, however, this effect appears to be limited, because modern households and companies use increasingly energy-efficient lighting and also consume a lot of energy in the evening. For several years now, there has been a debate in Europe about whether the summer and winter time system is still useful. In 2019, the European Parliament voted to abolish the system, but a final decision is still pending. Member states do not seem to be able to reach a consensus on which time should be introduced permanently.
Mobility experts stress the importance of adapting the behaviour of road users to increase safety during this period. Cyclists and pedestrians are advised to wear reflective clothing and use additional lighting so that they are more visible to motorists. Drivers of cars are advised to turn on their lights in time, even at dusk, and to adapt their speed to the changing conditions. According to experts, these small adjustments can make a big difference to safety on the road.
awareness
In addition, they continue to point out the importance of awareness among motorists: "The transition to winter time is a fact that we cannot ignore, but by making small adjustments to our driving behavior and paying more attention to each other, we can work together to ensure a safer evening rush hour." The organization also calls on employers to offer employees more flexibility in the first week of winter time. For example, working hours can be adjusted slightly to prevent employees from driving home directly after work during the most risky hours.
The debate on the sense and necessity of winter time and summer time continues in the European Union. Although no concrete decisions have been taken yet, it seems that the time change may disappear in the future. Until then, it is up to road users, employers and transport organisations to remain aware of the risks that winter time entails.
