As the clocks go back today people in Bradford are being warned make sure they safe when on the roads.

Each year at this time the number of road accidents surges as motorists and pedestrians adjust to travelling to and from work in the dark.

The call has been prompted by new report released by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists which claims that physiotherapists deal with more cases of whiplash, head injuries and nerve damage at this time of year than any other.

The Society also published a league table of the worst areas for accident casualties, which showed North Yorkshire to be the second worst in the country.

Last year there was a total of 102 fatalities of all ages on West Yorkshire's roads last year from a total of 8,489 crashes. And every day there is an average of ten people killed and a further 100 seriously injured on Britain's roads.

Sue Snoddy, Bradford Council's road safety officer, said: "All road users need to take care as they make journeys in the dark and bad weather.

"Motorists should watch their speed and be aware that they are less likely to see vulnerable road users in the dark - pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles - and check their lights are working.

"Parents should also ensure their children can easily be seen by wearing bright clothing, and cyclists should make sure their reflectors are clean, and their front and rear lights are working."

She said before the half-term holiday, the Council's road safety team, sent all primary schools in Bradford an information pack which included a list of names and addresses where luminous items could be bought and information for possible road safety assemblies, activity sheets and posters.

CSP chief executive Phil Gray, said: "It is no coincidence that physiotherapists see more people with whiplash, head injuries and nerve damage at this time of year. There is often a surge in accidents just after the clocks go back, as people adjust to driving home work in the dark.

"We want to see a reduction in road traffic accidents. Cyclists and pedestrians can also take steps to protect themselves by wearing reflective clothing so that they are more visible in poor light."

The Government's Think! road safety campaign is particularly calling upon children to be safe, launching its own campaign to urge youngsters to wear reflective, luminous strips when travelling to and from school.