Unreported incidents increase as clocks go back

Research released following the end of British Summer Time has revealed that more than one in three drivers have been involved in an unreported incident with another car during the winter months. The survey by dash cams retailer, LaptopsDirect.co.uk, quizzed 1,000 car drivers on their experiences of driving during Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

It found a third have been involved in an incident with another driver at this time of year, which they haven’t reported to the police or their insurer. This figure is 18 per cent more than those who have been involved in this during British Summer Time.

A further 1 in 5 have had their car damaged by another driver while it was parked. And of these cases, the perpetrator had come forward just 32 per cent of the time – with the majority having to foot the costs themselves, due to a lack of evidence to take to their insurer.

It found 24 per cent more Brits have had a near miss during this time of year, compared to the summer months (43 per cent).

Commenting, Mark Kelly, marketing manager at LaptopsDirect.co.uk said: “It’s really worrying that such a high proportion of British drivers have had near misses with other vehicles, all year around – and that’s without even considering that an alarming more than half have had these during the winter months.

“Driving conditions and visibility are naturally worse once British Summer Time ends. But the fact that so many are admitting to having been involved in unreported incidents, or situations where their vehicle has been damaged, suggests a real need for additional measures which will arm motorists with the evidence they need in order to either successfully defend themselves, if they’ve been involved in a collision that wasn’t their fault, or prosecute for damage caused by another driver.”

Kelly continues: “The technology is there, in the form of dash cams, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Thankfully, many drivers seem to be waking up to how affordable they can be – we have seen a 364 per cent rise in sales of dash cams since the start of October, suggesting many are getting their orders in early ahead of the nights drawing in.”

The survey found men are more likely to have near misses than women during the winter months – with 74 per cent confessing to having done so in the past.