A new scheme designed to save money and cut carbon emissions by switching off motorway lighting is making car breakdown insurance cover an absolute necessity, insurance experts are warning.

With the lights already off on many stretches of busy motorways, and more being planned RescueMyCar.com's breakdown insurance experts are warning of the extra need for cover due to the increased dangers of breaking down in the dark.

The Highway’s Agency has already switched lights on motorways such as the M4 in a bid to reduce costs and environmental impact and the chances are the scheme will be rolled out nationwide over the coming months.

Commenting on the scheme RescueMyCar.com's Managing Director Neil Richards-Smith said; ‘While we applaud efforts to reduce carbon emissions there is no doubting that darker motorways are more dangerous places if you break down. The last thing you want to be doing is to be sat in the dark hoping that passing traffic will miss you.'

‘With a decent motor breakdown cover you should be rescued quickly, reducing the chances of an accident or worse on dark roads.'

Timing devices at the roadside would control when the lights switch off and on again and the Highways Agency’s regional control centre for the South West could override the mechanism if necessary.

Neil went on ‘This is a great scheme in theory but in practice it could increase accidents and crime and that is why we are emphasising the need for good insurance cover.’

>> Check your breakdown insurance with RescueMyCar.com by calling 0800 0199519.