British summer time begins this Sunday, on 29 April.

The clocks move forward one hour and daylight savings begin.

Business car commuters, who have enjoyed the lighter mornings, will be making the journey to work in darkness for the next few weeks.

The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) warns there are dangers that come with driving in the dark during peak hours.

Director of IAM policy and research, Neil Greig, said: “IAM research has shown that most accidents happen during peak hours. For the first few weeks of the clock change, motorists will need to get used to driving in darker conditions and take extra care.”

Reduced visibility makes it harder to read the road ahead and yields less information for a driver.

Other road users, road signs and objects are harder to see and road conditions and edges become indistinct.

Motorists will also find it harder to wake up and are more likely to grow tired. An estimated one in five motorway crashes are fatigue related.

Further information

Read the Law & Tax advice article on Tiredness at the wheel

British Summer Time begins Sunday 29 March