Headlight danger has forced drivers off UK roads at night, with dazzling beams from oncoming cars leaving many too scared to get behind the wheel.
Research shows that one in 10 motorists admits to being frightened to drive after dark, Vauxhall found.
The survey found that almost one-fifth are making fewer journeys at night than they were a year ago, with many highlighting the main problem as glare from modern headlights.
More than one-third said bright lights from oncoming vehicles have made it harder to see clearly, while a quarter blamed a general lack of confidence when driving in the darkness.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Among those who have cut back on nighttime driving, more than one in five have missed social events and 14 per cent have been unable to visit relatives.
Many drivers were also recorded as going out of their way to avoid dark or poorly lit roads, including six in 10 who take longer routes to feel safer.
Vauxhall carried out a real-world trial with psychologist Dr Neale Kinnear, a specialist in driver behaviour, to see whether better headlight technology could improve confidence.
Five people who said they felt mild anxiety when driving at night took part, although they were not told what was being tested.
The report detailed how one fifth of drivers have been making fewer journeys at night than a year ago
|VAUXHALL
Each person completed two identical nighttime drives on the same evening, including one in a Vauxhall Grandland fitted with the company's Intelli-Lux HD adaptive headlights, and in a different car with standard LED lights.
The drive lasted around 25 minutes, while motorists filled in questionnaires and wore heart monitors.
Drivers said they felt 28 per cent more confident using the Intelli-Lux HD system compared with standard LEDs. They also reported 35 per cent better visibility.
Mental strain was lower too, with participants experiencing 39 per cent less "cognitive demand", meaning the drive felt easier and required less effort.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Drivers were recorded as being less anxious behind the wheel with the new headlights
|VAUXHALL
The drivers also said they would be 43 per cent more willing to drive at night if their car had the adaptive lighting system.
Heart rate readings supported their views, showing lower and steadier levels during the drive with the Intelli-Lux HD lights.
Dr Kinnear said: "This exploratory real-world trial focused on drivers who do not feel comfortable driving at night.
"When drivers completed the same nighttime route with Intelli-Lux HD headlights, rather than standard LED headlights, the drive was consistently rated as easier, more comfortable, and less demanding."
The report showed drivers were 28 per cent more confident using the Intelli-Lux HD system
|VAUXHALL
Eurig Druce, managing director of Vauxhall, said the firm has spent more than a decade working to make advanced lighting systems more widely available.
He added: "By putting this to the test under real-world driving conditions, we can clearly see the benefits of the Intelli-Lux HD headlights compared to standard LEDs, helping drivers feel more comfortable and confident when undertaking night-time journeys."