A new survey has found that many drivers are unsure on the correct lights to be using on their car in dull and dingy weather.

The introduction of daytime running lights on cars and small vehicles became an EU requirement in 2011, with the aim of improving road safety by allowing other vehicles to easier see cars when conditions are not so bright.

Many manufacturers have chosen to pair front daytime lights with rear lights too, but there are many cars which only meet the minimum requirement leaving many British drivers without rear lights in darkening conditions.

A survey conducted by an RAC Opinion Panel, of 2,061 drivers found that 62 per cent of motorists had seen other drivers without any rear lights on in overcast conditions. The same group of drivers were asked if their own vehicle had daytime running lights and 47 per cent said that they didn’t, with 29 per cent saying front only and 14 per cent claiming they had them at the front and rear.

Pete Williams said, RAC road safety spokesman, said: “This is potentially a very worrying finding as it implies that many motorists are driving without any rear lights believing that because they have running lights that switch on automatically at the front, they are also on at the rear.

“Alternatively, and arguably just as concerning, these drivers could simply have decided the light conditions were not bad enough to merit turning on their dipped lights or sidelights.

“While daytime running lights are clearly bringing a very valuable safety benefit to the UK's roads, it would be good for every driver to take just a few minutes to make sure they know whether the vehicles they drive have them or not.

“And if they do, then check to see if they have them at the rear as well as the front.

'That way those that don't have them at the back will be far more likely in poor daylight visibility to switch on their dipped lights to make their vehicle more easily seen from behind.”

The RAC is advising owners to check their cars to see if they have daytime running lights at the front and rear and if not to use dipped main lights when required.

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