UK HIGHWAYS GET EVEN DARKER AS CLOCKS GO BACK
Many more UK roads will be plunged into darkness over the coming weeks as councils switch off street lights to save money on energy bills and cut carbon emissions.
Ahead of the clocks changing this weekend an investigation by Halfords has identified that, following a big switch-off in 2012, at least eight county councils have further plans to switch off or dim roadside lighting despite concerns from motorists.
Halfords found that two thirds of drivers (68%) opposed the switch-off and almost half (47%) expressed safety concerns about being able to see clearly. A further 41% worried about being seen by other drivers or had already experienced difficulty reading road signs and almost a quarter (25%) said they tired more quickly as a result.
Auto Category Director, Dave Poulter said: “As the nights draw in, drivers will begin to notice hundreds more miles of unlit road between the hours of midnight and 5am.
“In order to see and be seen, it is vitally important that every motorist ensures the lights on their vehicle are working properly and we are here to help them.”
Councils claim their actions haven’t led to an increase in accidents or crime and lights have been switched-off only after consultations with safety authorities and local communities.
However, insurance industry figures show that while only a quarter of drivers are on the road between 7pm and 8am, 40 per cent of crashes occur between these hours – with the highest number of accidents occuring in the weeks following the clocks changing.
Dave Poulter added: “It’s estimated that there over 800,000 vehicles on UK roads with lights that are not up to a safe MOT standard, which means there are many motorists who could be doing far more to reduce their chances of becoming an accident statistic.”
A study by Halfords 12 months ago found that 73% of councils in England and Wales had switched-off and dimmed lights, or were planning to. Three years ago the figure was 43%.
However, some local authorities have seen the light - with Nottinghamshire and the Wirral on Merseyside switching lights back on following concerns raised by the police.
All Halfords stores offer a Wefit service which saves drivers time and money by using trained professionals to fit car bulbs, wiper blades, batteries or engine oil bought in-store. In addition, Halfords is offering a free 5 point winter check for motorists - which examines these items and offers a free screenwash top-up - until Monday 28 October.
Ends
Media contact:
Stuart Humphreys, Automotive PR Manager, T: 01527 513410, E: stuart.humphreys@halfords.co.uk
Editor’s Notes:
Driver attitude survey conduted among 1080 motorists by Atomic Research Oct 2013
Councils which have increased the number of lights they switch off at night over the past 12 months: Devon, Dorset, Durham, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Warwickshire
Insurance figures from the Association of British Insurers
Data from VOSA (the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) shows a third of all MOT failures (around 800,000 vehicles) are due to faulty lights
WeFit
Halfords’ fitting offer (WeFit) is intended to take the hassle out of motoring for customers by fitting car bulbs, wiper blades, batteries or engine oil bought in-store. The service delivered 2.7million fitting jobs between April 2013 and March 2013.
Halfords Group plc
The Group is the UK's leading retailer of automotive, leisure and cycling products and through Halfords Autocentres also one of the UK's leading independent car servicing and repair operator. Halfords customers shop at over 460 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland and at halfords.com for pick-up at their local store or direct home delivery. Halfords Autocentres operates from around 300 sites nationally and offers motorists dealership-quality MOTs, repairs and car servicing at affordable prices.
The Halfords group strategy is based on three pillars:
· Supporting Drivers Of Every Car
· Inspiring Cyclists Of Every Age
· Equipping Families For Their Leisure Time
The Getting into Gear 2016 plan for the Retail business is based on executing in five key areas in order to deliver a significantly-enhanced customer experience:
· Service Revolution
· The H Factor
· Stores Fit To Shop
· 21stCentury Infrastructure
· Click With The Digital Future
Halfords employs approximately 12,000 colleagues and sells around 10,000 product lines in stores, increasing to around 30,000 lines online. The product offering encompasses significant ranges in car parts, cycling, in-car technology, child seats, roof boxes, outdoor leisure and camping equipment. Halfords own brands include Apollo and Carrera cycles, augmented by exclusive UK distribution rights for the premium-ranged Boardman cycles and accessories. In outdoor leisure, we sell a premium range of camping equipment including brands such as Gelert and Outwell. Halfords offers customers expert advice and a fitting service called "wefit" for car parts, child seats, satellite navigation and in-car entertainment systems, and a "werepair" service for cycles.