RoSPA poll shows emphatic support for clock change

92% of people want the clocks to be changed to allow an extra hour of evening sunlight, according to a poll carried out by RoSPA.

For decades, RoSPA has been at the forefront of the campaign to give the UK an extra hour of evening daylight, citing research showing that lighter nights would save 80 lives and prevent more than 200 serious injuries on our roads each year.

The result was revealed on Twitter by Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA’s chief executive, who went on to conduct an hour-long Q&A session on the social networking site.

According to RoSPA, the clock change campaign is closer to succeeding now than at any time since 1970, thanks to a Private Members’ Bill by Rebecca Harris MP – which passed its second reading in Parliament with a sizeable majority.

To help the Bill clear the next hurdle, RoSPA is calling on the public to help convince Westminster of its popularity.

If successful, the Bill will lead to the Government carrying out a cross-departmental analysis of the benefits of Single/Double Summer Time (GMT+1 in winter / GMT+2 in summer) – which in turn could trigger a three-year trial.

Tom Mullarkey said: “Our straw poll and the Twitter session were intended to spark debate on a subject where myths and legends have often blocked a clear-eyed view of the issues.

“It’s really encouraging that more than 400 people have visited my blog in recent days to tell me that they want lighter evenings.

“With almost every SDST opinion poll ever conducted showing resounding support, we now throw down the gauntlet to our politicians: give the people what they want; a proposal that brings so many benefits to the UK at no cost.”

Click here to support the Bill or for more information contact Jo Bullock/Michael Corley on 0121 248 2134/2135.