The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has issued a warning to drivers due to the entry into force of the winter schedule in Spain, which from this Sunday, October 25, modifies the visibility conditions on the roads. During the early morning, the clocks have been set back one hour, so that at 03:00 it has returned to being 02:00 in the Peninsula and Balearic Islands, while in the Canary Islands the change has occurred from 02:00 to 01:00. Although this adjustment allows for an additional hour of rest, it also causes the sun to set approximately one hour earlier according to the clock, so numerous trips that until now were made with natural light will begin to occur at dusk or directly at night.
In a publication disseminated on October 23, the DGT has warned that the lower luminosity, combined with the weather conditions typical of autumn, requires heightened precautions while driving. The agency points out that darkness makes it difficult to identify obstacles and unexpected dangers, such as a pedestrian crossing the road or an animal invading the roadway, which can delay the driver's response. The problem will be especially relevant starting this Monday, when the end of work, the return from schools, and numerous daily activities coincide with lower ambient lighting. Therefore, Traffic recommends adapting driving to the new circumstances and paying special attention to the most vulnerable users.
What time will it get dark from this Sunday after the time change
The main effect of the time change will be felt during the afternoon. In Madrid, the sun will set this Sunday at 18:19, compared to 19:21 on Saturday, according to the schedules recorded by RTVE. The difference is mainly due to the clocks being set back, although the hours of natural light also progressively decrease during autumn.
In other areas of the country, dusk will arrive even earlier. In Menorca, sunset is expected around 17:50, while on the Galician Atlantic coast it will occur approximately at 18:40. These differences are explained by the geographical position of each territory and condition the times at which drivers will begin to need artificial lighting.
The change will have a special impact on usual travel. Those leaving work between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM will find different visibility conditions than those of the previous week, especially in cities with heavy traffic and on secondary roads without lighting. There will also be an increase in the overlap between hours of darkness and the movements of pedestrians, cyclists, and electric scooter users.
However, the entry into force of winter time does not mean that this Sunday one hour of sunlight will suddenly disappear. What changes is the clock reference: it will dawn and dusk earlier in time terms, while the actual duration of the day continues to evolve gradually.
The DGT warns of the danger for pedestrians and cyclists as evening falls
One of the main concerns of Traffic is the safety of vulnerable users. The lack of natural lighting makes it difficult to distinguish between pedestrians, cyclists, and personal mobility vehicle drivers, especially when they circulate in poorly lit areas or appear unexpectedly among parked vehicles.
In its latest warning, the DGT identifies as points that require special attention the pedestrian crossings without traffic lights, bus stops, and streets with numerous parked cars. In these circumstances, drivers must anticipate the possible presence of people crossing the road and avoid relying solely on their reaction capacity.
The agency also reminds that the traffic of weekday afternoons presents different characteristics than that of the early morning. Although the conditions of darkness may be similar, during the hours of leaving work there is a greater concentration of pedestrians, minors, delivery people, and cyclists, which increases the situations in which a conflict between vehicles and people may occur.
Therefore, the main recommendation is to moderate speed and increase attention in urban environments, especially when approaching schools, commercial areas, and intersections with poor visibility. For cyclists and scooter users, Traffic insists on the importance of using regulatory lighting systems and reflective elements that facilitate their identification.
Check the headlights and clean the windows: Traffic's recommendations
The DGT has taken advantage of the entry into force of the new schedule to remind a series of measures that can improve safety during night travel. One of the most important is to check the operation and condition of the headlights, as it is not enough for the bulbs to light up: it is also necessary for the lenses to be clean and for the lights to be properly oriented to illuminate the road without dazzling other drivers.
The agency also recommends keeping the windshield and windows clean, both inside and out. The accumulation of dirt or a film of grease on the glass can scatter the light from vehicles coming in the opposite direction and cause reflections that hinder visibility. This precaution is especially important in conditions of rain, fog, or high humidity, which are common during the autumn and winter months.
Vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, known as ADAS, must also keep the sensors and cameras located on the windshield, mirrors, or the front of the car clean. Dirt can impair their functioning and reduce their ability to detect obstacles or warn of risky situations.
Another traffic tip is to adjust the brightness of the screens and the instrument panel. Excessive interior lighting can hinder the adaptation of the eyes to the outside darkness, so it is advisable to reduce it to a level that allows consulting vehicle information without causing visual discomfort.
The time change can also cause drowsiness and lack of concentration
In addition to reduced visibility, the change in schedule can temporarily alter the sleep habits and biological rhythms of some drivers. Although in October the clock is set back and an additional hour is available, adapting to the new schedules is not always immediate, especially among those who maintain very strict work routines.
The DGT has warned in previous campaigns that time changes can be accompanied by drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, and difficulties in concentration, factors that affect driving and can reduce the ability to react to unexpected situations.
According to Traffic data, drowsiness is directly or indirectly related to between 15% and 30% of traffic accidents in Spain, although this percentage corresponds to the total of incidents associated with sleep and not specifically to those caused by the time change in October.
To reduce the risk, the agency recommends maintaining regular rest schedules, avoiding driving when feeling sleepy, and taking breaks during long trips. As a general rule, it advises stopping every two hours or 200 kilometers, with breaks of at least 20 or 30 minutes, and increasing the frequency of stops when driving conditions are unfavorable.
More caution with rain, fog, and wet roads
The arrival of winter time also coincides with a period in which rains, banks of fog, humidity, and sudden changes in road conditions may appear. These phenomena can simultaneously reduce visibility and tire grip, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
The DGT recommends reducing speed, increasing the safety distance, and using low beams correctly when brightness decreases. It also reminds that, in adverse weather conditions, it is necessary to avoid sudden maneuvers and pay special attention to curves, changes in elevation, and areas where water may accumulate.
The time change does not imply the entry into force of new penalties nor does it modify the established speed limits. The warning from Traffic has a preventive nature and seeks to adapt driving habits to the new light conditions.
Starting this Sunday, the main change for millions of drivers will be encountering darkness approximately one hour earlier than usual. A circumstance that will become especially noticeable during afternoon travel and that, as the DGT reminds, requires reinforcing attention, checking the vehicle's condition, and anticipating possible dangerous situations to avoid accidents.