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Motorists have been left "stunned" after discovering the genuine reason behind the tiny dots surrounding a car's windscreen. While they're permanently visible, drivers can spend years without spotting them or understanding their actual function.

A curious individual turned to Reddit to question users about why the dots exist, reports The Mirror. They posted: "What are those little black dots that surround my windshield for?" It turns out they serve a remarkably important function, and without them, motoring would be incredibly hazardous.

According to Autoglaze: "The black dots, or dot matrix, actually help distribute temperature evenly to lessen optical distortion or lensing.

"This happens when the frit band (the solid black one) heats up much faster than the windscreen's glass, creating an optical distortion that makes either straight lines look curved or bowed inwards toward the centre. Those 'gradually sinking' black dots help lessen this phenomenon by dissipating the heat and spreading it out evenly."

Numerous road safety specialists now recommend drivers install a dashcam whilst out on the road in case of a collision.

It can also encourage individual motorists to become better drivers as they're more aware of their behaviour and guarantee they concentrate on the road ahead.

However, this isn't their sole function as they also help "preserve the urethane sealant used to bond the glass to the frame", ensuring your windscreen remains securely attached in position. The statement continues: "They serve as a contact point between the glass and car frame.

"They create etches on the surface, making them rougher so the adhesive can stick better to the glass.

"Frits are also there for aesthetic purposes. If you look closely, the contrast between the dark band and the transparent glass can look too obvious even when viewed from afar.

"Creating a halftone pattern or dot-matrix allows a gradual decrease in size, making the transition much more subtle and easier on the eyes."

Responding to the revelation, one Reddit user said: "That is brilliant and simple. So simple that it isn't believable but so believable that it can't be that simple!"

Another user commented: "Ok, that makes sense. But why is it on the windshield, rear windshield, and quarter glass, but not on the operable windows?".

A third user wrote: "I am stunned at the amount that I have learned about frit today."