Start of winter time: Expect an increase in accidents on Dutch roads
Across Europe, clocks were set back one hour overnight, officially marking the start of winter time. In the Netherlands, the change occurred at 3 AM on Sunday, signaling the return of dark evenings and shorter days in the coming months.
Authorities have issued warnings to drivers to exercise greater caution during the first few days after the time change. Data from the Dutch insurance company Univé shows a significant increase in traffic accidents immediately after the shift to winter time. Between 2014 and 2024, the data showed that insurance claims for car damage were 13 percent higher on the Monday following the time change compared to the previous Monday. This is attributed to dark evenings, reduced visibility, and driver fatigue.
While many countries continue to discuss the feasibility of daylight saving time, the Dutch government has not yet made a decision on permanently abolishing it. A proposal put forward by the European Commission in 2018 to end the biannual clock change failed to gain sufficient support from member states, leaving the practice in place across the European Union.
Authorities emphasize the need for further studies to assess the full impact of permanently adopting winter or summer time. Discussions focus on the potential effects on health and safety, energy use, as well as maintaining synchronization among EU countries.
Spain remains one of the most prominent advocates for ending this practice. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the clock changes as 'outdated' and called for a unified action from the European Union. However, any reform at the European level requires the approval of at least 15 member states or a coalition representing 65 percent of the total population of the EU—an objective that has not yet been achieved.