The RAC is calling on the Government to commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare after new research found 85% of those affected believe the problem is getting worse.
An RAC survey of 2,000 drivers found 89% think at least some headlights on cars on the road today are too bright, of which 28% think most are.
Of the drivers who complain about the brightness of car headlights, 91% say they get dazzled when driving with three-quarters (74%) saying this happens regularly.
When it comes to the effects of glare on drivers, 67% who suffer say they have to slow down considerably until they can see clearly again, while a similar proportion (64%) believe some headlights are so bright they risk causing collisions.
Nearly one-in-10 (7%) say they find headlight glare so bad that they avoid driving at night altogether, a figure that rises to 14% for drivers aged 65 years and over.
While the RAC has been surveying drivers on dazzling headlights since 2018, these new findings show more drivers than ever appear to be suffering from them, with 85% of those affected stating they believe the problem is getting worse.
As part of its study, the RAC asked drivers to estimate how long it takes them to see clearly again after getting dazzled by other drivers’ lights.
While 68% say it takes between one and five seconds, 11% say it takes six or more – enough for a driver travelling at 60mph to cover 160 metres, the equivalent of 40 car lengths.
Rod Dennis, RAC spokesman, 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 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, but that appears to come at a cost for those on the receiving end of excessively bright lights.”
Government collision statistics shows that since 2013, there has been an average of 280 collisions a year where dazzling headlights were a contributory factor.
Of these, six a year involved someone losing their life.
The RAC has raised the issue of headlight glare with the DfT and has been working with a member of the House of Lords, Baroness Hayter, to make drivers’ concerns known among Government officials.
Daytime LEDs on my car dim when I put my headlights on, on other cars they don’t. Also, some drivers put their own LEDs on, and they are just too bright. The other big problem, too many people don’t turn the fog lamps off. So an SUV, high up with bright LEDs and fog lamps on is a real danger and should be fined.
Rob Skinner, Ironbridge
0
The problem is not just glare from other cars. These modern (LED) lights are also well nigh useless under certain conditions, in the wet in particular. They appear to be monochromatic which may explain why they give poor visibility under certain conditions. Their effectiveness needs to thoroughly investigated.
Ricky Martin, Greenock, Scotland
0
I’d be keen to know if the indidence of “brighter” headlights has grown in relation to the number of SUVs on the road. Something I have noticed over the years is that when vehicles have lights higher from the floor, they tend to cause more glare both when approaching and in mirrors, even on low beams.
Matt, Exeter
+2
This problem is a real problem for older drivers who tend to be in the category of much longer adjustment times, and therefore at more risk of collision.
Many of our clients complain about ‘modern headlights’and try to avoid driving in the dark but winter months are times when it is much more difficult.
Some will use ‘night driving’ glasses or even sun glasses which can make some situations much worse but the emphasise on poor eyesight for this age group tends to naturally focus on daylight conditions. Very little helps or assessment seems to be available for these drivers, which is a concern.
Graham Mylward, Bournemouth
+7
Brighter headlights are good for whom? For the driver, if they see better they’ll probably automatically drive faster, which is therefore NOT safer. At the moment there are several other lighting issues with motor vehicles that do not comply with the vehicle construction and use regulations. For example, they state the fixed lights at the front have to be mounted in pairs, excluding flashing indicators which must flash at a certain rate. So what’s with these bright lights that come on continuously on only ONE side when eiter the steering wheel is turned or the indicator for that side is activated. The first time I saw these was when driving through the winding Cheddar Gorge road late at night, where I couldn’t understand why the car following kept turning these lights on, then off again, each time we turned a sharp corner. Then what about the continuous ‘bar of light’, either on the front or rear of the vehicle, which might be confused for a fixed advertising or light on a retail premises. Issues that maybe ought to be addressed as well as the headlights one.
Alisha Crichton, London
0
This has indeed been a serious problem for many years. I certainly find it to be an increasing difficult issue and hope something will be done about it.
David, Wirral
+5