PRESS RELEASE

8 October 2014

Let's put our children's safety first... and put the clocks forward, urges GEM Motoring Assist

ROAD SAFETYorganisation GEM Motoring Assist is urging the UK government to put children's safety first and agree to adopt Single/Double British Summertime (SDST). Experts believe the move, involving an adjustment of the clocks to GMT + 1 in the winter and GMT + 2 in the summer, would prevent 80 deaths and more than 200 serious injuries on the UK's road each year.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE comments: "Dark spells danger for pedestrians. In 2013, official figures show that twice as many pedestrians died in December as in June¹, while there is a 10 per cent rise in fatal pedestrian collisions during the four weeks after the clocks go back².

"Estimates from the Department for Transport's own research³suggest the benefits of a move to SDST would amount to nearly £140 million annually, with just a modest £5 million one-off investment in communicating the change.

"We believe the reasons for opposing the change - generally from those representing the interests of farmers and postal workers - are irrelevant and outdated. After all, farming technology is vastly improved, and postal deliveries take place throughout the day, not purely in the early mornings.

"GEM, in line with all safety groups, supports a change to SDST, because it will make a significant contribution to reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads."

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Notes for editors

1 Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2013, DfT

2 National Audit Office, 2009

3 DfT Consultation Paper (‘A Safer Way'), 2009

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.