Vulnerable road users would do well to be extra cautious with the switch to daylight saving time. Due to reduced visibility, the number of serious pedestrian accidents increases by 73% when the clock is set back. This is according to an annual statistical analysis by the Vias Institute.
The organization is therefore calling on drivers to adjust their behavior and, above all, to always slow down near crosswalks.
Sharp increase in accidents involving pedestrians
On the night from Saturday to Sunday, we’ll switch back to standard time, which means it will get dark an hour earlier. Setting the clock back – at 3:00 a.m., the clock will be set back one hour to 2:00 a.m. in all EU member states – also has consequences for vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians.
From October to November, the number of pedestrian accidents during the evening rush hour rises by 39%, according to Vias. The number of accidents resulting in at least one serious injury or fatality even increases by 73%.
Not only are there more accidents, but they are also more serious. “For example, we recorded 109 fatalities and serious injuries per 1,000 injury accidents in October, compared with 136 fatalities and serious injuries per 1,000 accidents following the change in November (2016-2025).”
Over the past 10 years, there have been a total of 181 pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries during the evening rush hour in November. That averages out to 18 each year.
In November, there are also about 4 times as many accidents involving cyclists at dusk and dawn as there are in June, even though there are more cyclists on the road in the spring than in the fall.
Increase your visibility
This is because routes that are normally traveled during daylight hours are now being traveled at dusk or in the dark. Some drivers do not see pedestrians and/or cyclists and brake too late or not at all.
Vias is therefore urging drivers to adjust their behavior and, above all, to always slow down near crosswalks.
Pedestrians are advised to look both ways several times before crossing, to use crosswalks when available and visible, and to wear fluorescent, reflective clothing. After all, reflective clothing makes you visible from up to 150 meters away. If you wear dark clothing, drivers can only see you from 20 meters away.
