A recent poll of British drivers found that half are afraid to drive in the dark, but new technology from Ford Motor Company could be about to take those fears away.

Ford’s so-called predictive lighting technology uses GPS to know what is around the bend in the dark, and will illuminate the road ahead by adjusting the beam in the direction the road is turning.

The smart headlights are the latest innovation in motoring technology on follow on from the beam of light moving where you turn your steering wheel. It is hoped that by letting the driving know where the road is turning, that roads can be safer, and motorists can feel more confident, particularly in dimly lit areas of the country. The technology is so sophisticated that the AI even judges your speed and trajectory of the vehicle to ensure that the headlights are altered appropriately.

“The predictive lighting technology we are developing now means that one day driving in the dark could be as simple as just following your headlights. This new map- and location‑based system is the next step on our quest to make driving at night no more difficult or stressful as during the day.”

The solution is a timely one, with an AA survey last year revealing that half of motorists feel anxiety about some part of driving in the dark, while a quarter get nervous driving on unfamiliar roads in the dark.

“If you are among those who feel nervous about driving after dark it can be very isolating,” said the AA Driving School’s Sarah Rees.

“Avoiding driving in the dark can be so restrictive in the wintertime, especially if you stop going out altogether.

“It's important to make sure that you feel comfortable driving in all weather and light conditions and there's no shame in taking an extra driving lesson after lockdown to increase your confidence.”

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