As the clocks go back this weekend, road users in Gedling borough are being urged to take care during darker conditions.
On Sunday (30) we will once again turn our clocks back at 2am which will officially signal the end of British Summer Time.
This year marks 100 years since the clocks went back for the first time in Britain – but Nottinghamshire County Council are reminding people that traditional road safety messages still apply as the nights get darker.
Councillor Kevin Greaves, committee chairman for Transport and Highways at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It’s an important time to remind everyone of road safety advice with the clocks going back this weekend as we will have darker nights for longer as we approach winter.
“Evenings will become noticeably darker, with dusk falling as early as 4pm – just as schoolchildren are travelling home and rush hour begins. As winter progresses, it will also be dark on school journeys in the morning.”
Summertime was first defined in an Act of Parliament in 1916 that stated for a certain period during the year, legal time should be one hour in advance of GMT.
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There was a brief trial from 1968 to 1971 when the clocks went forward but did not go back.
Via East Midlands manages highways services on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, and the local authority is reminding the public of the following road safety advice as part of its annual winter campaign.
· Children should wear fluorescent or bright clothing in the daytime and reflective material at night to make them more visible to drivers.
· Motorists are being urged to use their headlights so that not only can they see other road users but they, themselves, can be seen. Drivers are also being advised to check their lights now to ensure that they are all working properly.
· By wearing or using reflective items, pedestrians and cyclists become visible at 150 metres, giving drivers five times the distance to notice and avoid them, than they would be without having these items.
· Motorcyclists should ensure they are as visible as possible from the side as well as the front and rear, wear fluorescent/reflective clothing during the day and evening to improve their chances of being seen, keeping dipped headlights on during the day can also improve visibility.
· Cyclists should have their front and rear lights lit, have red rear reflectors and amber pedal reflectors, and have white front reflectors and spoke reflectors. They should also wear bright, fluorescent and reflective clothing.
For more information visit: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/roadsafety
