Beware of the twilight zone

The period from 4-6pm is the deadliest time on UK roads, with more than a quarter of all serious accidents taking place between those two hours.

Sudden changes in weather conditions, dusky early evenings, children walking home from school in the dark and heavy rush-hour traffic combine to make a potentially dangerous cocktail. Yet many people fail to reduce their speed to allow for these extra hazards.

"Driving at night requires a set of skills and an approach to driving which is not currently covered under the driving test, so many motorists haven't been taught how to use their lights correctly or how reduced visibility can affect people's perception of distance or road conditions," said BSM's road safety adviser Keith Cameron.

The BSM's top tips for driving in the dark include:

* Use the correct lights at all times. As a guideline, dipped headlights are used in most circumstances while full beam can be used on unlit roads. Revert to dipped headlights when following another car, when there is oncoming traffic and when going around a bend.

* Drive at a speed within which you can see and stop.

* To avoid being dazzled, do not stare at oncoming traffic's headlights.

* Ensure both the inside and outside of your windscreen is clean. Smeared glass reduces visibility and intensifies glare from headlights.

* It is often difficult to assess the speed and distance of other vehicles when you are using their headlights as a focal point. Allow more time to make your manoeuvres and for other drivers to do the same.

* Check your lights to make sure they work properly. It is illegal to drive with damaged lights.

* If your car is fitted with fog lights, it is only legal to use them when visibility is down to 100 metres (328 feet) or less.

Story date: Wednesday 27 October

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