The Clocks Go Back on Sunday: Driving Safely in the Darker Afternoons
The clocks go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October. The mornings will be lighter for a few weeks, but the afternoons will get dark much earlier.
On Saturday, the sun sets in Whitstable at 5:44pm. On Monday, it sets at 4:40pm. By the middle of December, the sun will set before 4pm.
Why the late afternoon matters
Department for Transport figures for 2024 show that on weekdays:
- the peak time for pedestrians killed or seriously injured is 3pm to 6pm
- the peak times for cyclists killed or seriously injured are 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm
From Monday, much of the afternoon peak will be at dusk or in the dark. As the weeks go on, more children will be walking home from school, and more people will be walking and cycling home from work, in poor light.
In 2024, 409 pedestrians and 82 cyclists were killed on the roads in Great Britain.
The Highway Code says that the people in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in a collision have the greatest responsibility to take care. This applies to van drivers.
What we do
Daily checks. Every morning, before they set off, our drivers carry out a walkaround check of their van. The checks come from FORS, and drivers tick them off on an app on their phone. They cover the lights, the windscreen and wipers, the mirrors, the tyres and the fluid levels under the bonnet, and the driver looks for anything hanging off, damaged or missing. Any fault is reported through the app. In the darker months, working lights and wipers, and an undamaged windscreen and mirrors, help our drivers to see and to be seen.
Driver training. As a FORS Silver operator, our drivers must complete approved training on road risk at least every five years. This training covers the safety of people walking and cycling. We renewed our FORS Silver accreditation last week. You can read more about our FORS Silver accredited courier services.
Tracking. Our vehicle tracking system shows us how each van is being driven, so we can spot problems and deal with them.
Care in London. Much of our work is in London, where there are more people on foot and on bikes. Our drivers take extra care at junctions, at crossings and when they stop to make a delivery.
Simple steps for every driver
- Turn your lights on early. The Highway Code says you must use your sidelights between sunset and sunrise, and you should use dipped headlights at night in built-up areas and in dull weather.
- Keep your lights, windscreen and mirrors clean. Winter roads make them dirty quickly.
- Slow down near schools, bus stops and shops in the late afternoon.
- Look out for people walking and cycling, especially at junctions and when you turn.
- Check before you open your door. Use your mirrors and look over your shoulder. The Highway Code suggests opening the door with the hand on the opposite side, so that you turn and look behind you.
A request for our customers
If we collect from you or deliver to you after dark, please make sure your loading area and the route to it are well lit. If your opening hours or site hours change for the winter, please tell our control team, so we can plan your collections and deliveries.
You can contact our control team on 01227 773030 or at control@invictacouriers.com, Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm.
Stay safe on the roads this winter.
Sources: Department for Transport, pedestrian factsheet 2024 and pedal cycle factsheet 2024; The Highway Code, rules H1, 113, 115 and 239; FORS Standard. Sunset times are for Whitstable.
If you have something that needs moving, tell us what and where — our transport team will come back to you with a price.
Get a quote or call 01227 773030