'Turning clocks back risks lives'

• Road deaths rise as clocks go back
• Calls to keep clocks on 'summertime'
• Safety group proposes radical changes

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Keeping UK clocks on British Summertime instead of putting them back an hour in the winter would cut 450 deaths and serious injuries each year, a key safety group claims.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says clocks shouldn't be turned back an hour in October, as they will be this Sunday, because it always leads to a rise in the number of accidents and fatalities on UK roads.

By leaving clocks on British Summertime this winter, and continuing to put them forward an hour as usual next March, motorists would enjoy longer evenings throughout the year, RoSPA claims.

RoSPA's head of road safety Kevin Clinton said: 'We urge the Government to support the scheme for lighter evenings all year round.

'Studies show that vulnerable road users such as children and the elderly are more at risk during darker evenings than the morning.'

RoSPA points to Department for Transport accident figures which, in 2004, showed fatalities rose from 269 in October to 300 in November and 323 in December.

It says drivers should check their headlights and brakes are in working order and take extra care as visibility and weather conditions worsen over the coming weeks. It advises parents to dress their children in bright reflective clothing. Cyclists also need to dress in reflective gear and ensure their bikes are properly equipped with lights.

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Would you like to see longer evenings all year round? Click here if you would and tell us why.

If you think the UK clock system should be left unchanged, click here and give us your reasons.

• From next Monday whatcar.com will have a week of hints, tips and advice on how motorists can cope with the winter. Come back every day to find out more on a range of subjects from correcting skids to keeping your windscreen clear. Click here to send us your winter motoring questions.