The policy of turning off street lights overnight has led to an increase in road accidents.

A study carried out by the Times found that 324 more people were killed or seriously injured during 2011-12 at night than in the previous year. The news comes as around 750,000 lamps are being extinguished or dimmed down in an attempt to save money and reduce emissions.

Figures obtained from the police showed the number of deaths that occurred on roads with no street lighting had risen by 39 per cent, while injuries have increased by 27 per cent. 

President of the Automobile Association Edmund King commented: "Worse accident rates on roads with street lights turned off or not present is an insidious threat that has crept in literally under the cover of darkness."

He also revealed the number of night time accidents on well-lit 30 mph roads have dropped by 15.6 per cent over the past five years, while the fall was just two per cent on highways with little or no lighting.