Dutch insurer warns of possible spike in car crashes after winter time change on Sunday

When the Netherlands moves its clocks back one hour at 3 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, drivers are being urged to stay extra alert in the days that follow. According to new figures from insurer Univé, traffic accidents rise sharply after the start of winter time, as shorter days, early darkness, and fatigue combine to make roads more dangerous.

An analysis by the cooperative insurer covering the years 2014 to 2024 shows that damage claims on the Monday after the time change were on average 13 percent higher than on the Monday before.

“The suddenly shorter days and earlier darkness require renewed alertness behind the wheel,” said Henkjan Mathijs, Mobility Manager at Univé. “Many people are temporarily less sharp or more tired because of the one-hour time difference. That slight drop in concentration can make the difference between a safe drive and vehicle damage — and we see that reflected in our data.”

To prevent accidents, Univé advises drivers to prepare by going to bed earlier before the time change and to avoid screens before sleeping. The insurer also urges motorists to take short breaks during long trips. “A 15-minute rest can do wonders for your concentration — and possibly prevent an accident,” Mathijs said.

Univé examined liability claims from drivers with standard car insurance, comparing the number of accidents reported on Mondays before and after the switch. The trend was consistent: the move to winter time led to more collisions, while the start of daylight saving time in spring showed a slight 5 percent decline in claims.

The insurer also noted large yearly fluctuations. In 2021, the number of damage claims jumped 40 percent compared with the week before, even though it was a COVID year with lighter traffic. The year 2020 saw a 12 percent increase, 2023 a 9 percent rise, and 2024 a 16 percent rise, while 2022 showed a rare 8 percent decrease. “That was especially remarkable in 2021,” Mathijs said. “Even with fewer cars on the road, we saw a big increase. It shows that factors like fatigue, changes in daylight, and adapting to a new rhythm play as large a role as traffic volume itself.”

Mathijs said the problem lies largely in the disruption of people’s biological rhythm. “The time change seems harmless, but it disrupts our sleep pattern. It can take several days or even a week to adjust. During that period, many people have more trouble falling asleep or wake up less rested. Combined with the fact that it’s suddenly dark during the evening rush hour, that can lead to reduced alertness behind the wheel,” he said.

Univé’s study is based on a decade of liability claims from car insurance policyholders, comparing the Mondays before and after both the winter and summer time changes. The insurer, founded in 1794, has 1.8 million members and more than 3,000 employees working from about 100 offices across the Netherlands.