Since 2002, most countries in the European Economic Area adjusted their clocks on the last Sunday in March and October, but there has been some variation. Critics of scrapping daylight savings are concerned about road traffic collisions and there also would be time zone issues between the UK and Ireland.
Professor Aoife Foley from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast conducted a study.
It found that most road fatalities occur on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The research also found that speed, tiredness and alcohol were the most common influencing factors.
She said: “Most road collisions occur in good visibility during the day and outside of built-up areas.
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The same study found that households could save £1.20 a day and more than £400 a year on electricity bills if clocks are not put back at the end of October.
The European Union has been consulting for years on whether to forgo the annual shift in time.
Professor Foley, who specialises in clean energy research, said there is an “energy war” going on and this administrative solution would dramatically reduce demand on the National Grid at peak times.
She said that there are definite savings to be made by scrapping daylight savings, the amount just depends on individual energy tarrifs.
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Many smart chargepoints already come pre-configured to avoid charging during peak hours, between 8am and 11am and between 4pm and 10pm on weekdays.
Professor Foley added: “By simply foregoing the winter Daylight Savings Time (DST) in October, we save energy because it is brighter in the evening during winter.
“So we reduce commercial and residential electrical demand as people leave work earlier, and go home earlier, meaning less lighting and heating is needed.
“We are no longer in an energy crisis in Europe but an energy war and dependent on weather conditions this winter it is very likely we may need to start rationing energy very seriously to avoid bigger energy issues in December and January when gas reserves start to run low.
“There is no doubt that by foregoing the daylight savings in winter we would save a lot of energy, reduce our bills and carbon emissions during this energy war, and especially during a cost of living crisis.”
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