Clock change 'would save lives'

The Local Government Association wants winter to be GMT +1, equivalent to British Summer Time. Summer, under the proposals, would be GMT +2.

Campaigners for change believe lighter evenings would make the roads safer for children and cyclists.

But any move to change the time system would be likely to face fierce opposition in Scotland.

The LGA, which covers England and Wales, wants a three-year trial of Single/Double Summer Time (SDST).

HAVE YOUR SAY
"We should change our time zone if it benefits Britons"
Simon Wright, Oxford

Send us your comments

The call comes as the clocks are due to go back at 0200 BST on Sunday.

The SDST has previously received backing from some MPs and a variety of road safety groups. But in Scotland there would be concern over darker mornings affecting children on their way to school.

Rush hour

LGA spokeswoman Hazel Harding said: "Councils are committed to helping people get safely through their day, and shifting our clocks an hour forward would prevent more than 450 deaths and serious injuries on our roads each year."

She said the evening rush hour was the most dangerous time for road users and this was when school children were more likely to have a club or activity .

"Their increased exposure to road traffic together with tired drivers can lead to serious consequences," she said.

"There has been widespread support for this change from different organisations over the years, and also much opposition.

"But unless we are given the chance to see for ourselves what the impact would be today, we cannot know for certain that our roads are as safe as they possibly could be."

Ms Harding added that in the height of summer the sun rises at 0400 BST, while most people are asleep and "sets while we are still enjoying our evenings".

"Matching the daylight hours more closely with our living patterns would give us a greater opportunity to enjoy ourselves, get active and stay healthy," she said.

However, last October the Scottish National Party (SNP) education spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop, said any change in policy would put more Scottish children at risk as they travelled to school.

Ms Hyslop tabled a motion at Holyrood backing the current Daylight Saving Time system.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Weather and clock changes
Local Government Association
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites