How Your Wiper Blades Can Be Affected When the Clocks Go Back

Your driving habits can undergo a big shift during the autumn/winter months and it’s important to be prepared. 

Autumn is officially here and it’s just over a month to go until the clocks go back. As the darker mornings and nights draw closer, it’s a good idea to check that your wiper blades are ready for the change in conditions. 

When do the clocks change in 2024 and 2025?

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 2024, this will be on Sunday 27th October at 1am.  

In 2025, this will happen on Sunday 26th October at 1am. 

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? 

The official term for changing our clocks is called Daylight Savings Time (DST). It was first proposed back in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin as a joke to wake up Parisians an hour earlier. 

But at the time, the idea didn’t really take off. 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 got further than both of his predecessors. He campaigned in Britain to change the clocks so that there would be more light in the evenings. Why so? So that his golfing wouldn’t be interrupted of course. 

He campaigned up until his death of influenza in 1915, but the UK Government weren’t as golf-obsessed and didn’t pass the change in the law. 

So, what finally made us change our clocks? In Spring 1916, the German army were looking to conserve energy and to do this turned their clocks forward. 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. Always switch on your headlights approximately 30 minutes after the sun sets and 30 minutes before 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, be sure to clean your windscreen with glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth. It’s also handy to keep a pair of sunglasses nearby 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.