CARS fitted with side-marker lights are seen much earlier and more clearly by other drivers than cars without such lights, according to research into driver reaction times by the Dutch Human Factors Research Institute.

Tests showed that at viewing angles of between 0 and 10 degrees a car without side-markers was three times more likely not to be seen. At 20 degrees, a car was twice as likely to be missed. Volvo is the only car manufacturer to offer side-markers as standard. It now plans to introduce them to its complete range.