A WARNING has been issued to motorists as the clocks go back this weekend.

Road safety bosses say drivers need to take more care on our highways during evenings due to the earlier onset of darkness.

At 1am tomorrow, the clocks go back by one hour from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time, giving us an extra hour in bed.

The warning comes as a survey by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy shows road users are more likely to be killed or seriously injured in North Yorkshire than anywhere else in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Per 100,000 people in North Yorkshire, 147 were killed or seriously injured on the roads during 2003/4 and 523 suffered slight injuries, according to the data. This is almost double the national average of 75 fatalities or serious injuries per 100,000 of the population.

In East Yorkshire there were 426 casualties, with 101 killed or seriously injured.

North Yorkshire County Council's road safety officer, David Lindsay, said the figures were potentially misleading, because they relate to a large county with a proportionately small population.

He advised motorists: "One of the major problems at this time of year is people driving with defective headlights, other problems include poor tyre pressure, and refilling windscreen washers - they are all simple measures and most garages offer free checks - so take advantage of them."

Here some simple checks for drivers:

Ensure that all exterior lights - including fog, brake and number plate lights - are working properly. Check that they are all clean and free from cracks and damage. Replace any defective bulbs or fuses to ensure you are visible to other drivers

Inspect both the front and rear wipers for wear and tear and adjust the windscreen washers. If the wipers on your car are over a year old, it may well be time to replace them. Remember to top up the windscreen washer fluid reservoirs - new anti-freeze windscreen solutions are widely available

Keep all the car windows clean. Dirt and condensation can obscure vision and dazzle from the sun can be a real problem at this time of year, made worse by the hazy film that can sometimes accumulate on the windscreen. Apart from being a hazard on the road, this could lead to a fine of up to £2,500

Top up oil and water levels and make sure you put in enough anti-freeze to stop the engine freezing over. Forgetting to add anti-freeze can cause damage to the engine and lead to a hefty garage repair bill. It's important not to leave this too late

Check your car's tyre pressure and tread depth. On icy winter roads, the condition of your tyres is especially important and at least 3mm of tread is recommended - so it's worth thinking about replacing tyres before the winter arrives. Don't forget your spare tyre - check its tread depth and make sure it's in good condition.

Updated: 09:41 Saturday, October 29, 2005