Over four in five drivers (83 per cent) are concerned about the impact of headlight glare on their driving as the clocks go back this weekend, research indicates.

The clocks will turn back one hour on Sunday morning, bringing earlier sunsets and resulting in a higher proportion of evening commutes occurring in the dark.

It comes after a government-commissioned study confirmed that brighter vehicle headlights are more likely to cause glare for oncoming drivers.

The research, conducted by consultancy TRL, found vehicle lighting to be a "genuine issue".

In a survey of 1,208 regular UK motorists conducted by the RAC, half of dazzled drivers said excessively bright headlights make identifying road hazards harder, while 49 per cent struggle to see road signs and markings.

The motoring organisation reported that 47 per cent of affected drivers find it difficult to assess the position of oncoming vehicles, and 43 per cent struggle to judge speed and distance.

As a result of headlight glare, 21 per cent of…