Darker streets could be more dangerous, warns Britain’s AA

Switching off street lights to save money could lead to more crashes and more crime, the AA said yesterday.

A number of councils in UK are turning some lights off completely and turning others off at selected times as an economy measure.

The Highways Agency has also switched off some lights on English motorways.

AA president Edmund King said: “There is a fear that in some areas these switch-offs could lead to more crashes and crime.

“Lighting can improve safety for drivers, riders, and pedestrians and deter street crime. The public are in favour of street lighting as a way of improving road safety. Cyclists and pedestrians are more at risk on unlit streets.”

Mr King said: “Local authorities should consider more environmentally-friendly lighting, that can save them £46 a light, rather than putting us all in the dark. In terms of reducing CO₂, AA research shows that local authorities will have more effect improving traffic flow than turning off the lights.”

An AA study shows that driving outside daylight hours is more dangerous. Only a quarter of all travel by car drivers is between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 a.m., yet this period accounts for 40 per cent of fatal and serious injuries.