NEW figures have revealed a sharp rise in road accidents when the clocks go back, prompting a safety warning from experts.

Road users have been urged to take extra care this weekend when British Summer Time ends and clocks are set back by an hour on Sunday morning.

Road Safety GB North East, which is made up of the region's transport authorities, has warned that the annual event usually leads to an increase in the number of motorists and pedestrians hurt and killed in the following two weeks.

On average over the last nine years, the region has seen a five per cent rise in the number of road casualties in the 14 days after the clocks have been altered – with an eight per cent rise in serious accidents and a 14 per cent rise in fatalities.

The most notable increases occur between 5pm and 7pm when drivers and pedestrians can be caught off guard by the sudden onset of early evening darkness.

Since 2005, during these two hours there have been a total of 45 fatal and serious injuries on the region’s roads in the two weeks before the clocks go back, compared to a total of 89 in the two weeks that follow.

Similarly, during these hours there were three deaths in the two weeks prior to the clocks being altered, in comparison to ten in the two weeks afterwards.

Paul Watson, chairman of Road Safety GB North East, said it was imperative that people took more care.

“It’s that time of year again when we are getting ready to alter the clocks and with that comes the sudden onset of the dark nights,” he said.

“I think it takes us all a few days to get accustomed to the dark nights, especially as we leave work and head home on the region’s roads.

“There are a number of factors that cause the increase in accidents, but failing to look is the main contributor, along with failing to judge the path or speed of other road users.

“We want to remind people to take particular care and to pay extra attention. We would love to reverse this trend that sees more people seriously hurt and killed during this key fortnight.”

Casualty figures for between 5pm and 7pm both before and after the clocks go back show Middlesbrough, County Durham, Northumberland, Gateshead, Newcastle and North Tyneside saw the greatest increases.

Sunderland’s casualty figures remained the same and only Stockton saw a decrease.