BE-DAZZLED drivers voice growing concern over headlight glare during darker months
- Perry Richardson
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
More than four-in-five drivers are worried about being dazzled by vehicle headlights during the darker autumn and winter months, new RAC research has shown.
The data follows the recent clock change and comes ahead of a long-awaited government-commissioned report into the effects of headlight glare. The issue is not new, but with winter evenings drawing in, the problem is once again front of mind for many drivers.
Among those surveyed, 38% admitted they feel nervous about driving in the dark. Of that group, three-quarters cited the brightness of headlights as their main concern. This was a greater issue than other common difficulties such as spotting hazards in low light (63%) or judging the speed (41%) and distance (33%) of other vehicles. Around one in four of those who feel nervous said they just don’t feel as confident driving at night.
The RAC, which has pushed for further scrutiny into the problem, says it has been receiving a steady stream of complaints over recent years. It joined forces with The College of Optometrists, IAM RoadSmart and Baroness Hayter to campaign for a formal investigation. This led to the Government commissioning TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) to carry out independent research, which is expected to be made public shortly.
Earlier this year, separate RAC figures revealed that headlight glare is having a measurable impact on driving behaviour. One-in-four affected drivers said they are now actively driving less to avoid being dazzled, while nearly the same number (22%) said they would like to avoid night-time journeys but have no alternative.
Much of the concern centres around newer vehicle lighting systems, which use LED or high-intensity discharge (HID) technology. These offer stronger illumination but have drawn complaints from drivers who say the light beams are too bright or poorly aligned. There are also issues raised around eye health, driver fatigue and ageing, which can all increase sensitivity to bright light when driving.
The upcoming TRL report is expected to explore these concerns in more detail and assess whether current regulations around headlight design and alignment remain fit for purpose.
Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, said: “Unfortunately, for a lot of drivers the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort.
“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling. At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead – so there’s a balance to be struck.
“We look forward to the publication of the Government’s report and hope that it helps explain why so many drivers report struggling to cope with dazzling headlights – whether that’s due to changes in technology, the fact more of us than ever are driving vehicles that sit higher on the road, or for some other reason. We also hope it comes with recommendations that lead to road users feeling safer behind the wheel at night.”
