How Your Wiper Blades Can Be Affected When the Clocks Go Back
Your driving habits will likely undergo a big shift during the autumn and winter months once the clocks go back
Your driving habits will likely undergo a big shift during the autumn and winter months once the clocks go back, so it is important you are safe and prepared.
It won’t have escaped your notice that the days are becoming shorter, mornings are darker for longer and daylight disappears earlier in the evening.
As these darker mornings and nights draw closer, it’s therefore a good idea to check that your wiper blades are ready for the change in conditions.
When Do the Clocks Change in 2025 and 2026?
Each year, our clocks in the UK go back by an hour to revert to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on the last Sunday in October.
In 2025, this will be on Sunday 26th October at 1am.
In 2026, this will happen on Sunday 25th October at 1am.
On the plus side, we all get an extra hour in bed!
Why Do We Change our Clocks?
While putting our clocks back has become part of our yearly routine, you might be wondering why exactly do we do this?
You might be surprised to learn that were several petitions to change the clocks over the past few centuries, long before it was officially introduced in 1916.
Interestingly, each of these campaigns were for different – and occasionally – self-serving reasons, while it ultimately took the actions of another country for the UK to follow suit.
The official term for changing our clocks is called Daylight Savings Time (DST) and it was first proposed back in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin, albeit as a joke to wake up Parisians an hour earlier that – unsurprisingly – didn’t find favour.
Just over 100 years later, the idea was re-proposed in New Zealand by scientist George Vernon Hudson. However, his suggestion was for the clocks to go forward by two hours in the summer months. Again, the idea wasn’t met with much enthusiasm.
It was builder William Willet who bizarrely got further than both of his predecessors. He campaigned in Britain to change the clocks so that it would be lighter in the evenings.
Not so he could squeeze another hour of work into his day, but so that his golfing wouldn’t be interrupted…
He campaigned up until his death of influenza in 1915, but the UK Government wasn’t as passionate about golf as William, so let the proposal slide.
A change was imminent, however, and it was all down to Germany going ahead and changing their clocks in an effort to conserve energy. This led to most European Governments (including the UK) following suit.
What Impact Does the Clock Change Have on Driver Safety?
With darker nights setting in, it’s important to adjust your driving habits to keep yourself and other road users safe.
Reduced Visibility
During the autumn and winter months, visibility will become restricted as the sun sets earlier and dreary weather kicks in. Make sure to switch on your headlights once the sun sets and turn them off 30 minutes before full sunrise. It’s also important to switch these on if visibility is restricted to less than 100m.
Increased Glare
Glare can be worse throughout the colder months due to low winter sun. But did you know dirty windscreens can also contribute to increased glare? To help with this, ensure your wiper blades are in optimum condition to keep your windscreen clear and your visibility unobstructed. It’s also handy to keep a pair of sunglasses to keep in your vehicle for particularly bright days.
Adverse Weather
Driving in winter conditions brings its challenges with heavy rain, snow, and strong winds all regular occurrences.
One of the main things to remember is that if conditions get too bad, do you really need to complete your journey? If not, wait for the weather to improve.
If you do need to drive in poor conditions, always remember to:
- Increase your stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front
- Reduce your speed
- Take extra care when pulling out at junctions and roundabouts
How to Check your Wiper Blades
Look for any damage - To inspect your wiper blades, gently lift them up and look for any visible signs of damage including cracks. You can also run your finger along the rubber to feel any damage
Remove any debris from your wiper blades - Falling leaves and twigs can collect on your windscreen which can affect the lifespan of your wiper blades. Always be sure to clear your wipers of any debris before you drive to ensure maximum visibility.
Listen for any squeaking - If you hear any squeaking or juddering, or notice your wiper blades smearing, it’s time to replace them.
Upgrade your wiper blades today
Beat the chill and upgrade your wiper blades today to enjoy a clearer view this autumn and winter. Our range includes leading manufacturers such as BOSCH and MICHELIN. As well as Lucas, BLADES, Valeo, and Trico. So, whatever your budget and vehicle – you'll find a wiper blade that works for you.
We’re also here to help after you’ve bought your new wiper blades, with our handy fitting guides.
