An hour longer on the weekend and earlier light in the morning: changing the clock doesn’t seem so bad. Yet there are disadvantages. For example, Rijkswaterstaat warned on Monday that road users should take into account a longer evening rush hour due to the start of winter time. That one hour has a major impact on our driving behavior, warns traffic psychologist Gerard Tertoolen.
Changing the clock secretly changes more things on the road than you think. “Driving in the dark takes some getting used to for many people,” says a spokesperson for Rijkswaterstaat.
Reduced vision
Not only driving in the dark, but also the low sun and the increase in showers cause reduced visibility. In addition, brake lights sometimes appear brighter when it gets dark earlier in the evening, which can cause distraction.
Traffic psychologist Gerard Tertoolen also notices that the rhythm of some road users is disrupted by winter time, which can lead to less alertness. Rijkswaterstaat therefore advises to be extra alert behind the wheel, to adjust your driving style and to keep more distance in traffic.
Printer
Figures from the road manager also show that the evening rush hour between the autumn holidays and the Christmas holidays is busier. During this period, most people are at work, which leads to more commuting.
Rijkswaterstaat advises people to be well prepared on the road. “Check whether the car lights work properly, keep mirrors and windows clean and top up the windshield washer fluid if necessary,” the road manager advises.