Analysis of official government data by leading driving experience provider – DrivingExperience.com – reveals two weather related issues that motorists need to be particularly aware of at this time of year.

While drivers should never use a mobile device or drive a defective vehicle, collisions caused by these factors are dwarfed when compared to collisions that were on a road surface which was slippery due to the weather.

The Department for Transport (DfT) road safety factor figures show there were 2,161 collisions on this type of road surface compared to 340 collisions when a mobile device was involved and 1,249 including vehicles with defects such as defective tyres or lights.

Further analysis for the last full year that figures are available also shows there were 1,069 collisions when the driver or rider vision was affected by adverse weather or dazzling sun, more than three times the mobile device figure.

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at DrivingExperience.com, said: “Judging driving conditions in April can be tricky with heavy downpours often followed by bright sunshine that is still quite low in the sky.

“Motorists should be vigilant at all times so they can drive safely, including maintaining a sensible speed, keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front and avoiding heavy braking, as well as not using a mobile device and keeping their vehicle in a road worthy condition.”

Fines for defective windscreen wipers can be as much as £2,500, while driving with illegal tyres can see £2,500 fines and three penalty points for each faulty tyre.

Motorists can also hone their driving skills to help cope with wet weather, such as with Skid Pan Experiences as provided by DrivingExperience.com.

Imran added: “Each season presents its own driving challenges, and spring is no different. The harsh winter climate has been replaced by highly changeable and unpredictable weather, which motorists need to give due respect to.”

For more information about DrivingExperience.com, including its skid pan experiences, visit www.drivingexperience.com.

Analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) figures by DrivingExperience.com found that, across four recent years, overall collisions fell by 2.4% in the week after the clocks changed. But collisions taking place at night – between 7pm and 6am – rose by 10% compared with the week before.

The analysis looked at matched Sunday-to-Saturday windows around the clock change – the seven days before and the seven days after, including the changeover Sunday – using pooled data from 2021 to 2024 to smooth year-to-year volatility.

While overall collision numbers did not increase, the figures suggest the March clock change may alter when risk is greatest, with incidents shifting more heavily into night-time hours.

Imran Malek, spokesperson at DrivingExperience.com, said: “Many drivers welcome the clocks going forward, with longer evenings and the sense that spring has arrived. But the change can also bring added risks, particularly in the days immediately afterwards.

“Our analysis of official figures shows a clear increase in night-time collisions in the week after the March clock change, so motorists should take extra care when driving during this period.”

Imran is advising motorists to follow a few simple steps to stay safer when driving in the dark:

• Keep windows clean – being able to see clearly is key to reducing glare, so drivers should also remember to top up washer fluid and check wiper blades.
• Use lights correctly – make sure all lights, front and rear, are working properly. Use full beam headlights on unlit roads, but dip them immediately for oncoming traffic or when following another vehicle. In built-up or well-lit areas, use dipped headlights.
• Beware of oncoming lights – drivers can be dazzled by approaching headlights, so it can help to look towards the left-hand side of the road to maintain a safe position in the lane.
• Reduce speed and increase stopping distances – darkness can make hazards harder to spot, so drive at a safe speed for the conditions and leave a greater distance from the vehicle in front.
• Don’t drive tired – maintain alertness behind the wheel by taking regular breaks where it is safe to do so, and avoid driving if you feel too tired to continue safely.

Imran added: “Driving at night can present extra challenges, but a few simple precautions can make a real difference. Clear visibility, proper use of lights, lower speeds and staying alert all help motorists stay safe.”

For more information about DrivingExperience.com, including its Young Driver Training and Skid Pan experiences, both designed to give practical driving skills, visit www.drivingexperience.com.