For many years GEM has supported calls to change UK clocks to show Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour in the winter and British Summer Time plus one hour in the summer.  It now seems that support for this campaign is growing from a number of organizations outside the field of road safety.  A Private Members Bill was introduced by Mr Tim Yeo MP on Friday 26^th January 2007 suggesting a two year experiment for changing the clocks but the Bill failed as fewer than 100 MP’s attended the debate.

The case for change is compelling from a road safety standpoint.  Research carried out in 1998 by The Transport Research Laboratory predicted that there would be around 450 fewer deaths and serious injuries and between 104 and 138 fewer deaths if the clocks were changed to GMT +1 and BST +1.  The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents supports the campaign and suggests that the effects of the clocks going back in October are greatest for the most vulnerable road users.  In 2004 pedestrian deaths rose from 56 in October to 76 in November and 78 in December.

The Local Authority Road Safety Officers’ Association also strongly supports the proposal, as indeed do most road safety organizations.

The savings in death and injury that would be brought about by the change would make it the most cost effective road safety measure ever adopted in the UK.  There would be no need for training, or enforcement measures and all road users would benefit.

Outside the field of road safety the measure would also be welcomed due to the positive environmental benefits.  It would reduce energy consumption and, therefore, aid carbon emission targets according to a research report carried out at Cambridge University.  The Policy Studies Institute estimates that consumer electricity bills would fall by a total of £260 million.

According to the Local Government Association, it would also extend the tourist season and bring an estimated £1 billion extra each year.  It would also help general health and well being by increasing exposure to daylight and increasing opportunities to leisure activities.

GEM is determined to continue its support for this change.