Hungary: Increased traffic accident risks following autumn clock change

The recent transition to winter time in Hungary has led to a significant increase in road safety risks due to earlier darkness during peak commuting hours. Experts note that while the biological clock takes weeks to adjust, the sudden change in lighting conditions creates immediate hazards for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

According to research from Allianz Hungária, 63 percent of drivers reported experiencing situations where they noticed another road user too late in the dark or twilight. Furthermore, 44 percent of respondents had to brake suddenly or change direction due to late detection within the past year, with 15 percent having faced such dangerous situations multiple times.

Data from the Institute for Transport Sciences indicates that while spring clock changes often lead to injuries from sleep deprivation, autumn changes are characterized by a rise in high-speed collisions. Pedestrian and cyclist accidents are expected to rise sharply and may not stabilize until December, as visibility is further compromised by wet asphalt, fog, and glare from oncoming headlights.