Eight in ten drivers say headlight glare is getting worse
85% of us think our lights are too bright
The RAC is calling for action after new research found 85% of drivers believe headlight glare is getting worse.
A survey of 2,000 drivers found nine in ten (89%) think at least some headlights on cars on the road are too bright.
For one-in-ten, the issue is so alarming they avoid driving at night altogether.
The RAC have put the problem down to three things:
1. There has been an increase in LED headlights, which have a more intense and focused beam. Though they are better for the driver - they can be to the detriment of other road users.
2. Some headlights are badly alligned, with 5% of cars failing MOTs due to poor headlight aim.
3. There has been an increase in cars that sit higher on the road, which dazzles other vehicles.
Just over 80% of people believe something should be done and in response, the RAC is calling on the Department for Transport (DfT) to act.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Our figures suggest drivers are more concerned than ever about headlight glare, with a huge proportion wanting to see something done about it.
"We urgently need the Government to take a closer look at the issue, ideally by commissioning an independent study to understand what’s causing an increase in reports of dazzling and, most importantly, what can do be done to keep drivers safe.
“With spring still a long way off, there’s a good chance many people will do most of their driving in darkness over the next few months and, according to our research, that means an awful lot of drivers will experience the discomfort and even danger that comes from being dazzled by headlights.
“On the one hand, brighter headlights can be a good thing as they give drivers a clearer and safer view of the road view of the road, but that appears to come at a cost for those on the receiving end of excessively bright lights."
Mike Bowen, Director of Knowledge and Research at the College of Optometrists, said: “The results from this research by the RAC are helpful to inform our understanding of how changes in vehicle headlight technologies may be affecting both the functional vision of young and older drivers, and their visual comfort, when driving at night.
"Older drivers are likely to be disproportionately affected by headlight glare, so may be more likely to experience difficulties or to decide not to drive at night at all."
A DfT spokesperson said: “We take safety on our roads extremely seriously and last year we strengthened requirements for headlamps to reduce glare, following advice from an international expert group.
“All headlights must adhere to strict technical standards in order for vehicles to be approved for our roads.”
How to deal with glare - the official RAC advice:
- Always use your rear-view mirror properly at night. Some newer cars have self-dimming rear-view mirrors that can reduce dazzle from vehicles behind – if you’re changing your car soon, look for one that has such a mirror fitted. But most drivers still need to manually adjust their mirrors in the dark to reduce glare. About half the drivers surveyed by the RAC who reported getting dazzled said they do so at night (54%).
- Speak to your optometrist. Just 6% of drivers told the RAC they’d talked to their optician about glare. For those who wear glasses, a glare-minimising coating can help – something a quarter (25%) of affected drivers said they are benefitting from.