Bright lights, big problem: Night-time taxi drivers and motorist under strain
- Perry Richardson
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers working night shifts are facing mounting concerns over headlight glare, as new research from the RAC indicates that more than half of motorists believe the problem has intensified over the past year.
According to the RAC’s latest survey, 57% of all drivers who experience headlight dazzle say it has worsened in the last 12 months, with only 31% disagreeing. For a sector heavily reliant on evening and overnight work, the findings point to operational and safety pressures that may disproportionately affect professional drivers.
The data shows that 63% of all motorists are dazzled by vehicles behind them in ways they cannot avoid, with 14% saying it happens regularly. A third of affected drivers report feeling less safe when driving at night, while 25% say it undermines their confidence. Among taxi and private hire drivers, who often operate in varying standards of street lighting, reduced confidence and impaired visibility could have direct consequences for passenger safety and insurance risk exposure.
A quarter of respondents who find headlights too bright say they are driving less at night or have stopped altogether. Although the highest figures are among under 35s and drivers aged 75 and above, 16% across all age groups say they would prefer to reduce night driving but cannot. For licensed drivers whose peak earnings are typically in the evening economy, scaling back night work is rarely a viable option.
RAC research shows worsening dazzle from modern headlights, with implications for professional drivers who spend extended hours on the road after dark.
Of those cutting back, 78% cite increased difficulty or discomfort, and 45% say glare makes them feel unsafe. The broader social impacts identified in the research include reduced contact with friends and family and difficulty attending appointments. For self-employed drivers, any decision to limit night work also carries a financial cost, particularly in city markets where late-night demand from hospitality venues, airports and shift workers underpins weekly revenues.
Visibility issues reported in the survey are likely to concern fleet operators and licensing authorities. Half of drivers affected by glare say they struggle to spot hazards or see road markings and signs. Four-in-10 cannot confidently judge the speed or distance of oncoming vehicles, and a quarter say they have been temporarily blinded. In practical terms, this increases the risk of misjudging pedestrian crossings, cyclists, or road layouts, particularly in areas with complex traffic management schemes.
The coping strategies described by respondents raise further safety questions. Nearly four-in-10 say they look away from the road when dazzled, while 24% admit covering their wing mirrors with their hands to block glare from vehicles behind. For professional drivers operating under regulatory standards that place a duty of care on passenger safety, such behaviours highlight the strain caused by excessive brightness.
Technological developments appear to be contributing to the issue. Of those whose current vehicle has brighter headlights than their previous one, 49% say they feel safer. However, this suggests that the remainder feel no safer or potentially less safe despite increased brightness. Among the 32% driving vehicles equipped with adaptive driving beam systems, which automatically switch between high and dipped beam, 24% believe the systems do not dip quickly enough, increasing the risk of dazzling other road users.
Brake light glare is also emerging as a complaint. Thirty-eight percent of drivers say they are dazzled by the brake lights of vehicles ahead, a figure linked to the growing use of ‘auto hold’ systems that keep brake lights illuminated in stationary traffic. Only a quarter of motorists say they always apply the handbrake or parking brake when stopped, a practice that would extinguish rear brake lights and potentially reduce glare in congested urban conditions where taxis often queue.
For industry stakeholders, the regulatory outlook may become a focal point. Eighty-seven percent of respondents support the Government’s plan to conduct further research into headlight glare, with the same proportion calling for existing headlight regulations to be reviewed. Three-quarters would back a public information campaign to improve awareness.
While the research does not isolate taxi and private hire drivers as a distinct group, the sector’s reliance on night-time working means any deterioration in driving conditions after dark has a direct impact.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Dazzle from headlights is now a perennial problem for drivers and it’s clearer than ever that they want to see something done. For some it’s just a mild annoyance but for others it’s tangibly affecting their lives as drivers – from feeling less safe or confident behind the wheel to avoiding nighttime journeys altogether, even if that means missing appointments or opportunities to spend time with friends and family.
“Drivers consistently tell us the height of vehicles, and the apparent colour of headlights are contributors to glare, so these are two areas we believe the Government should consider in its next stage of research.
“Headlight glare is a complicated area and there’s sadly no simple ‘fix’ that will eradicate it. But for the first time ever there is now a concerted effort – both in the UK and internationally – to tackle it. We’re grateful to every driver who has contacted us, often with great passion, about this issue and we’re proud to be at the forefront of the search for possible remedies.
“We look forward to continuing work with the Government and our campaign partners with the aim of reducing the problem of glare in the years ahead.”
