DARKER driving conditions due to the clocks going back will surprise many Fareham and Gosport motorists next week, warn a local opticians.

The time-change brought about by the end of British Summer Time on Sunday will mean many will avoid driving at night because they are not confident about their sight, say Batemans Opticians.

Slight visual defects are worsened with night driving, and even those with perfect day vision can suffer from night myopia - a problem that can be corrected with spectacles.

"Many people will drive home in darkness for the first time in months and they are likely to notice that any visual problems are magnified," says Nicholas Bate-man, managing director.

Around 20 per cent of motorists have less than perfect vision and five per cent have serious defects which are likely to have an adverse effect on their driving, believe Batemans.

"Driving a car on today's busy roads demands that we constantly use our sense of sight as we make decisions about speed, distance, direction, road conditions and signs."

"Our driving ability is directly related to the standard of our eyesight."

The opticians point out that the number-plate test introduced in 1935, which requires that drivers should be able to read a number plate from 67 feet sets no standard for depth perception, eye co-ordination, peripheral vision, night vision or colour awareness.

"Once motorists have passed this rudimentary test, there is no further check until they are 70, but sight which was perfect five, ten, or 15 years ago is rarely the same today.

"Eyesight can deteriorate at any time and is often not noticed," Mr Bateman warns.

The majority of motorists are still not enjoying the benefits of an anti-reflection lens-coating which significantly reduces the often blinding glare from car headlights.