This Sunday marked the end of British summertime as the clocks went back, bringing darker evenings and an increase in road collisions.
Right Fuel Card has analysed crash data and light pollution levels to identify the darkest, most dangerous roads this winter, while CEO Matthew Briggs shares expert tips for driving safely at night.
Sunday, the 26th of October, marked the end of British summertime, as the clocks went back. This annual change will bring darker evenings and a shift in the country’s time zone.
While many people celebrate the additional hour in bed, data from the AA’s Accident Assist team shows that this time of year is the most dangerous for Britain's roads, with collisions rising by 11% in the two weeks following the change, compared to the fortnight before the clocks fall back.
To help keep drivers safe this winter, the team at Right Fuel Card analysed crash data alongside light pollution levels, measured using the Bortle Scale, a nine-level measure of night sky brightness, to identify the roads and regions in the UK that pose the greatest risk to motorists.
Matthew Briggs, CEO of Right Fuel Card, has also offered his expert tips on how drivers can stay safe in the dark this winter.
If you're interested in reading more about fleet safety and accident statistics, we've written "The Hidden Crisis in UK Fleet Safety: Why Traditional Approaches Are Failing Your Business."
Places in the UK with the least light pollution
Matthew states: “Areas of the country with low levels of light pollution are some of the most beautiful, giving us incredible views of the night sky. However, for drivers, this lack of light reduces visibility, increasing the risk of a collision.”
1) Scottish Highlands (2.6 Bortle Ranking)
“The Scottish Highlands are renowned as having some of the most breathtaking views in the British Isles, but its extremely low light pollution levels mean that driver visibility can become a problem at night. The A9, from Perth to Inverness, is often dubbed the “Killer A9”. Between 2020 and 2024 alone, there have been 1,503 casualties and 81 fatalities across the A9, A96 and A82 corridors.”
2) Lake District (3.9 Bortle Ranking)
“Kirkstone Pass is located in the gorgeous Lake District at the highest pass, sweeping through from Ambleside in the Rothay Valley over to Patterdale in Ullswater. With the highest point reaching 1,489 feet, visibility is particularly difficult during winter nights.”
3) Northumberland National Park (4.0 Bortle Ranking)
“Being the least populated of the UK's National Parks, Northumberland National Park is often overlooked. Currently, the park contains 32,758 hectares of priority habitats and is the largest international Dark Sky Park in Europe. While this is great for tourists, residents are at risk.”
“The B1340 junction near Swinhoe is one of the most dangerous in the region and has been the site of several serious accidents since 2020, leading to calls for realignment to improve visibility and safety.”
4) Snowdonia (4.1 Bortle Ranking)
“Anyone who has visited Snowdonia before will be aware of Snowdonia’s Mountainous passages and the region's twisting roads. One of those roads is the infamous A496, connecting Llanelltyd to Blaenau Ffestiniog.”
“While impressive landscapes surround the A496, the road can easily catch motorists out, as collisions and accidents on the road are a weekly occurrence.”
5) Exmoor National Park (4.1 Bortle Ranking)
“Light Pollution across the South is particularly bad due to the area's close connections with London and South Wales. However, Exmoor National Park is one of the only regions of the South to have extremely low light pollution levels.”
“However, this does mean an increased level of risk. Porlock Hill, which connects Porlock to Lynmouth in Devon, is particularly unsafe. Alongside being the steepest A-road in the UK, constant crashes have led residents to campaign for a lower speed limit, better signage and updated road markings.”
An expert's tips for driving in the dark this winter
Matthew also offered drivers his top three tips for navigating the roads during dark evenings and at night:
1) Be aware of fatigue
“It is particularly easy to get fatigued at night. Fatigue slows reaction times, impairs judgment, and reduces focus, increasing the likelihood of accidents. It’s vital to recognise the signs of tiredness, such as yawning, heavy eyelids, or drifting between lanes. A quick break, or swapping drivers, if possible, can make a significant difference in staying alert and safe on the road.”
2) Use lights to their full advantage
“To make the most of your headlights while driving at night, always ensure they’re clean and properly aligned. Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic to maximise visibility, but switch to low beams when approaching other vehicles to avoid blinding other drivers. It is also worth noting that a lot of modern cars have automatic light settings, so it is worth checking that these are set correctly.”
3) Drive at a safe speed
“Drive at a safe and appropriate speed for the road conditions, ensuring that you have enough time to react to obstacles or hazards should they arise.”
ENDS
About Right Fuel Card
Right Fuel Card is an independent distributor of fuel cards with a mission: to simplify the fuel management of businesses across the UK. Right Fuel Card is proud to be part of Edenred, a leading digital platform for services and payments, and the everyday companion for people at work, connecting 60 million users and 2 million partner merchants across 45 countries via nearly 1 million corporate clients.
