Drivers are being urged to prepare for significantly different driving conditions as the clocks turn back on October 25, with earlier darkness combining with autumn weather to create potentially hazardous situations on the roads. Visibility challenges will arrive much sooner, while rain, fog and other seasonal conditions can obscure dangers that would normally be easier to identify.
Clocks change and visibility drops
The clocks officially go back by one hour at 2am on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as the UK transitions from British Summer Time back to Greenwich Mean Time. For countless commuters, the most noticeable impact will be evening drives taking place in darkness far earlier than throughout the summer months.
James Harding, a motoring expert at Blackcircles, has reminded motorists to ready themselves for darker carriageways, particularly on routes where street lighting is sparse. He explained: "Unlit roads can be more dangerous, especially to cars with less powerful headlights."
"Reduced visibility often means that sharp bends, debris and standing water can appear much later than they usually would. You may also not notice loose gravel, mud, potholes or broken edges until you are close."
Highway Code rules and tyre checks
"Before you set off, you must also check that your tyres have the correct pressure and adequate tread. Having good grip is especially important when you are unable to see road surfaces."
The guidance is supported by official Highway Code rules, which state motorists must switch on headlights when visibility is severely compromised and must be capable of stopping within the distance they can see clearly. During wet conditions, stopping distances can be at least twice those on dry surfaces due to reduced tyre grip.
Planning ahead and adjusting driving style
Motorists are also being urged to plan further ahead instead of focusing solely on the immediate stretch of road before them. Scanning for bends, pedestrians, cyclists, animals and variations in road surface can provide drivers with additional time to respond.
Potholes and deteriorated road edges can prove especially challenging to assess after nightfall. Blackcircles advises braking ahead of a pothole when sufficient distance allows, rather than applying brakes harshly while driving over it or executing an abrupt swerve.
Following distances represent another aspect where drivers can implement a straightforward modification. The Highway Code states motorists should maintain a safe gap behind the vehicle ahead in wet weather, while RoSPA recommends substantially increasing following distances when winter conditions diminish grip.
Headlights, windscreens and final checks
Headlights must also be utilised correctly, rather than merely activated and disregarded. The Highway Code states drivers must not use lights in a manner that dazzles or causes discomfort to other road users, while full beam should be dipped when required.
RAC guidance also stresses the need to maintain clear windscreens, as condensation and grime can impair visibility and amplify glare from oncoming headlights. Motorists are urged to remain vigilant for children, cyclists and animals, which become more difficult to spot on dimly lit roads.
Harding explained: "If you've recently driven down a particularly rough, dark road and notice vibrations, a steering pull, or loss of tyre pressure, it is important to check your tyres promptly."
With reduced daylight following the clock change, inspecting your vehicle before departure and adjusting your speed according to conditions could enable drivers to respond to hazards more quickly.
