Car maker Ford has confirmed the development of advanced lighting technology that will allow drivers to see more potential hazards at night.
The Camera-Based Advanced Front Lighting System could play a key role in improving the safety of night time driving by automatically widening beams at junctions and roundabouts.
Ford will also use New Spot Lighting to enable motorists to clearly see hazards such as pedestrians, animals and cyclists in low-level light situations.
"Many people who drive at night have had to quickly react to someone or something suddenly appearing in the road – as if from nowhere," said Ken Washington, vice president, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.
He added: "Ford's Camera-Based Advanced Front Lighting System and Spot Lighting help ensure the driver is quickly alerted to people or animals that could present a danger."
A number of Ford’s existing cars already make use of the Adaptive Front Lighting System and Traffic Stop Recognition to increase visibility for drivers, but it is hoped the new technology could build on this to significantly reduce accidents at night.