Moving clocks forward by one hour could improve health
Plans to bring clocks in the UK in line with central European time by moving them forward by one hour are being heavily supported by doctors.
The British Medical Association conference will today see delegates argue in favour of the move, claiming putting the clocks forward in both winter and summer will have numerous health benefits and save lives.
Experts believe that an extra 235 hours of daylight at the end of the day each year could help to reduce road deaths by up to 100 each year.
While changing the time may make the mornings darker, research suggested that it was safer to drive in the dark in the morning as people were more alert.
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It has also been suggested that moving the clocks forward one hour would increase tourism in the UK and therefore boost the economy.
Previous attempts to implement the time change were thwarted because some places in the far north of Scotland would not see daylight until 10am during the winter if the time was permanently changed.
However, there are arguments that this could be solved by introducing flexible school times during the winter months in such remote areas.
GP Andrew Green said of the plans: “In the end you have to go for what gives the greatest benefit for the greatest number.”
“Changing the clocks would mean people are more likely to be active.”
“It would encourage children to stop playing on the computer and go outside instead of risking getting run over in the dark,” he added.
A bill is currently passing through parliament asking MPs to consider implementing a three year trial of living with the hour time change.