At the end of the month, the clocks are set to go back with it scheduled to happen on the last Sunday of October every year in the UK.
This puts the country back on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) meaning we will soon start to experience even darker mornings and evenings.
Clocks will reverse by one hour when 2am hits with many of us having to change the time manually, unless you have an internet-connected device such as a smartphones, or television in which case you won't need to do anything.
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But as we leave behind British Summer Time (BST), and gain an extra hour of sleep in the process, drivers have been warned to check their lights as this happens.
The warning comes as Car dealer group, Peter Vardy, has urged drivers to check their car lights are in full working order before the clocks change. This is because people will now be driving in the dark more frequently, not to mention the upcoming winter weather conditions that can reduce visibility.
They also warn that misusing or having faulty car lights could result in a £1,000 fine and three penalty points for failure to have proper control of the vehicle or full view of the road and traffic ahead .
To help those getting behind the wheel this winter, the group has said that the easiest way to check that your car lights are working is to turn your car engine on and leave the handbrake on, then one by one test each light and walk around the car to check they are working. Peter Vardy also recommends asking a friend to help you with this so you can remain in the car as they walk around the vehicle and check each light is working.
Claire Rogan at Peter Vardy explains “Drivers are less likely to use their car lights throughout the summer months which can lead to issues when autumn hits and lights need to be used more frequently.
“Drivers should check that all their car lights are working correctly ahead of the clocks going back, if they are not this could put themselves and other road users at risk.
“When it comes to using your lights whilst driving it’s important not to solely rely on automatic headlights if your car has them, as they are automated by ambient light level rather than vision and visibility. Therefore, if it is snowing or raining heavily you may need to turn your dipped headlights on however if it is still bright outside, they might not turn on automatically.”
Experts answer 7 of the most Googled car light-related questions
The car experts at Peter Vardy have also answered some of the most googled car light questions so motorists can be fully prepared for dark night driving.
1. When to use fog lights?
12,000 searches per year
Rule 226 of the highway code states fog lights may be used when visibility drops below 100 metres (328 feet) and you MUST switch them off when visibility is improved. This is because they could dazzle other road users which could cause a serious accident.
2. What are dipped headlights?
10,560 searches per year
Dipped headlights are angled downwards which is where they get their name from, this is to avoid dazzling other road users. They are the most frequently used headlights and are brighter than sidelights but not as bright as full beam headlights.
3. When to use dipped headlights?
3,840 searches per year
As a rule of thumb dipped headlights should be used when visibility is seriously reduced. The best examples of this are at night or in extreme weather conditions. Drivers usually switch from their sidelights to dipped headlights when dusk begins.
4. Is it illegal to drive with one headlight?
2,040 searches per year
Yes, driving a car with only one headlight working is illegal as it will alter the driver's visibility of the road. If you are caught driving with only one headlight working the police could issue you with a fixed penalty notice of up to £200 and get points on your licence for careless or inconsiderate driving.
5. When to use sidelights?
1,680 searches per year
Sidelights are the lights in the four corners of your car and when in use they emit a white light that’s dimmer than other car lights.
Sidelights should be used when the light outside is dull but not dark enough to use dipped headlights. For example, if it is a cloudy day or in the hours leading up to sunset.
6. When to use full beam headlights?
1,680 searches per year
Full beam headlights are angled higher than dipped headlights and should be used on unlit parts of the road at night. However, they should be turned off when faced with oncoming traffic, driving behind another vehicle, as you approach corners and as you approach the top of hills.
7. Can you use full beam on a motorway?
840 searches per year
You can use full beam headlights whilst driving on an empty motorway however they must be switched to dipped headlights as soon as you see another vehicle on the road.
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