RAC urges drivers to keep high‑visibility gear before Oct 26 shift

When Royal Automobile Club (RAC) rolled out its autumn safety bulletin on 10 October 2025, the headline was crystal clear: stash high‑visibility clothing in your car before the clocks go back.

The advisory hits the headlines because the UK will flip from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time at 2:00 am on Sunday 26 October 2025, tucking an extra hour of darkness into the morning commute. The RAC warns that those darker mornings and evenings aren’t just a nuisance – they’re a measurable risk for pedestrians, cyclists and anyone who finds themselves on the roadside after a breakdown.

Why the clock change matters for road safety

The annual shift has a long‑standing pedigree, dating back to William Willett’s 1907 daylight‑saving proposal and the Daylight Saving Act of 1916. Fast‑forward to the 21st century, and the Department for Transport still tracks the impact. Data released in early 2025 shows a 23 % spike in pedestrian collisions between 4 pm and 7 pm during the first week after the October change – 178 incidents compared with the preceding week.

"The clock change means it will be darker during morning and evening commutes, creating potentially dangerous conditions for all road users, particularly vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists who become significantly harder to see," says Nicholas Lyes, RAC Consumer Editor, a role he’s held since 2018.

RAC’s specific recommendations

The club’s guidance is blunt and practical. Drivers should keep a reflective vest, high‑visibility jacket or any fluorescent garment within arm’s reach – preferably on the passenger seat or console, not buried in the boot. The rationale is simple: if you’re stranded on a smart motorway after dark, that bright strip of fabric can be the difference between a safe rescue and a near‑miss.

Rule 274 of the Highway Code, enforced by the Department for Transport, already obliges motorists to don a reflective vest when leaving their vehicle on a hard shoulder that may be used as a running lane. The RAC’s advice expands the spirit of that rule to cover any low‑light situation, not just motorways.

Technical specialist John Phipps, who brings 28 years of automotive engineering to the table, adds, "The hour of additional morning darkness significantly impacts school‑run traffic, with children in dark clothing becoming virtually invisible to drivers until they’re dangerously close."

Practical steps for the "critical dark season"

• Store at least one high‑visibility vest in the vehicle cabin before 26 October.
• Check battery life of any built‑in emergency lights.
• Plan routes that avoid poorly lit stretches, especially during the first two weeks after the shift.
• Make sure children’s clothing includes reflective details for school runs.
• Refresh your knowledge of Highway Code rule 274 – it’s not just for motorways.

For drivers wondering where to stash the gear, the RAC suggests a dedicated “visibility pocket” on the centre console or a hook on the back of the driver’s seat. The idea is to eliminate the scramble when you step out at 4 am or 8 pm.

Broader implications and EU context

While the UK operates independently post‑Brexit, the clock‑change schedule still mirrors that of the 27 EU member states. All shift at 1 am GMT in the last Sunday of March and October, a synchronisation that eases cross‑border logistics but also fuels ongoing debates about whether to scrap seasonal time changes altogether. The European Parliament has held several hearings since 2022, arguing that the health and safety costs outweigh any energy‑saving benefits.

Should the EU eventually abandon the practice, the UK would likely follow suit, given the alignment of transport policies. Until then, the RAC’s campaign aims to blunt the immediate safety dip that historically follows the autumn adjustment.

What the numbers say

Beyond the 23 % rise in pedestrian accidents, the Department for Transport’s 2024‑25 autumn report recorded 42 % more breakdown‑related roadside incidents in the three‑day window after the clocks fell back. Of those, 61 % involved motorists who were unable to make themselves visible to passing traffic.

These statistics underscore why the RAC’s message is more than a courteous reminder – it’s a data‑driven call to action.

Looking ahead to the next change

After the "critical dark season" runs its course, the clocks will spring forward on 30 March 2026 at 1 am, gifting drivers an extra hour of daylight. The RAC already plans a summer safety push focused on tyre pressure and anti‑lock braking systems, but the autumn gear‑stashing message will likely resurface each year, becoming a staple of British road‑safety culture.

In short, a few seconds spent storing a bright vest now could prevent a night‑time accident later. That’s the kind of small‑scale preparation that adds up to big‑scale safety.