The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is urging drivers to take extra care as the days get darker earlier and for longer when the clocks turn back an hour on Sunday.

Darker evenings also see the road casualty rates increase. In 2011:

• The number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in November was 14 per cent more than the monthly average.
• The number of cyclist casualties was 5 per cent higher.
• The rate of motorcycle casualties per vehicle mile was 28 per cent higher.

The IAM is offering the following advice on adjusting you’re driving to the shorter days ahead.

• Turn you headlights on before sunset and keep them on for an hour after sunrise so that it’s easier for other drivers to see you in twilight. It’s also important to make sure all your exterior lights are cleaning and working properly. At night, especially, it’s important to be able to stop your vehicle within the distance you can see to be clear.
• Make the most of other people’s lights – use the light shed by vehicles ahead or from roadside lights – not just street lights – to help you see further ahead.
• On rural roads, drive on full beam whenever possible but dip your lights when faced with another road user to avoid dazzling them. If a driver approaching you fails to dip their own headlights, look away to the verge on the left-hand side to avoid being dazzled yourself. And make the most of other people’s lights – use the light shed by vehicles ahead or from roadside lights - not just street lights - to help you see further ahead.