Drivers being ‘blinded by the lights’

The RAC says the problem of drivers being dazzled by the headlights of others ‘represents a significant road safety risk’.

The warning comes on the back of the findings of a survey of more than 2,700 drivers, which found that 89% think ‘some or most’ car headlights on the UK’s roads are too bright, with a majority of these (88%) saying they get dazzled by them while driving.

The survey also suggests the problem ‘appears to be getting worse’, with 63% of drivers who get dazzled saying it’s happening more often than a year or two ago, and 23% claiming they’re now dazzled a lot more regularly.

Motorists’ complaints about the impact some headlights are having on their driving isn’t new, with the RAC first raising the topic in 2018. 

At the time, the RAC highlighted that the regulations that govern vehicle lighting, including headlights, are decided on at an international (United Nations) level, with input from the UK Government. 

Nearly four years on, drivers ‘remain supportive’ of the matter being looked into with 82% saying they’d like something done to help reduce headlight glare.

The RAC’s research also asked dazzled drivers to estimate how long it typically takes for them to be able to see clearly again. While 65% said it took between one and five seconds, one-in-10 (12%) said it took upwards of six seconds. 

The RAC says being unable to see for one second while driving at 60mph means a driver would travel around 13 metres (more than six car lengths) – while being blinded for six seconds would see them covering an ‘enormous’ 160 metres (the equivalent of 40 car lengths).

The organisation fears this ‘could be compromising safety on the roads’.

Rod Dennis, RAC spokesperson, said: “It’s clear that the problem of drivers being dazzled by the headlights of others isn’t going away, and in fact our research shows that a large proportion of drivers say they’re getting dazzled more regularly now than a year or two ago. 

“There are a number of factors that contribute to whether a headlight dazzles another driver or not, the most important being the angle of the headlights as you look at them. 

“If they’re not angled properly – or the driver in the oncoming car has forgotten to dip their headlights – there’s every chance you’re going to get blinded. 

“Modern LED headlight technology may also have a part to play as the human eye reacts to the so-called ‘blue light’ from LEDs differently to the ‘yellow light’ of conventional halogen headlights.

“This presents a real irony: the brighter and better your vehicle’s headlights are, the clearer your night-time view of the road ahead is, often it seems at the expense of anyone coming towards you. 

“The full intensity of your headlights – especially if they’re not angled down correctly – can cause oncoming drivers to momentarily glance away from the road or even be blinded for a few seconds. In short, being dazzled isn’t just about discomfort, it also represents a significant road safety risk.”

Official Government data shows that since 2013, there has been an average of 293 collisions a year where dazzling headlights were a contributory factor. Of these, six were fatal.

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