The RAC is urging the Government to commission an independent study to address the growing issue of headlight glare, following new research revealing that 85% of affected individuals believe the problem is on the rise.
In a survey conducted by the RAC involving 2,000 drivers, a staggering nine-in-10 respondents (89%) expressed the view that some headlights on modern vehicles are excessively bright. Of these, three-in-10 (28%) believe that most headlights fall into this category, marking an all-time high. Among those who find car headlights too bright, a substantial 91% report being dazzled regularly, with three-quarters (74%) saying this occurs frequently.
For drivers affected by glare, the consequences are concerning. Nearly two-thirds (67%) of those experiencing glare have to significantly reduce their speed until they can see again. Similarly, 64% believe that overly bright headlights pose a risk of causing accidents. Shockingly, 5% of these affected drivers claim to have come close to being involved in a collision themselves.
The survey results also reveal that nearly one-in-10 (7%) affected drivers avoid driving at night altogether due to headlight glare. This percentage rises to 14% among drivers aged 65 and over.
The reasons for drivers perceiving headlight glare as a problem are multifaceted. An overwhelming 87% of those affected attribute the issue to some lights appearing excessively bright. This may be attributed to the increasing prevalence of LED headlights in modern vehicles, which produce a more intense and focused beam that can be harsh on the eyes compared to conventional halogen bulbs.
However, more than four-in-10 (44%) affected drivers believe that dazzling headlights are caused by poorly aligned headlights. A Freedom of Information request submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in November 2023 indicates that an average of 1.6 million, or 5%, of Class 4 vehicles – including passenger cars – failed their MOT tests due to improper headlight alignment since 2019.
Furthermore, the increasing popularity of taller vehicles, such as SUVs, may contribute to the problem, with conventional car drivers (62%) more likely to blame dazzling on taller vehicles than drivers of higher vehicles (35%).
Despite the varied reasons for headlight glare, 81% of survey respondents believe that more should be done to address the issue. This sentiment is particularly strong among drivers aged 45 to 54, with 87% in this age group advocating for action.
Government collision data reveals that, since 2013, an average of 280 collisions per year have listed dazzling headlights as a contributing factor, resulting in six fatalities annually. These numbers may underestimate the true impact if investigations cannot conclusively determine whether glare played a role in a collision.
In response to these concerns, the RAC has raised the issue of headlight glare with the Department for Transport and collaborated with Baroness Hayter to communicate drivers’ concerns to government officials. The RAC provided its research findings for a recently published report and is scheduled to meet with the government this month to further discuss the issue.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis commented, “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.”
Mike Bowen, Director of Knowledge and Research at the College of Optometrists, emphasized the need for additional research to better understand the impact of headlight glare on drivers, particularly older individuals who may be disproportionately affected.
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town urged the government to prioritize road safety and ensure compliance with the Highway Code’s stipulation that drivers “must not use any lights in a way which would dazzle other road users.
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards Nicholas Lyes highlighted the growing concern among drivers regarding modern headlights and called on policymakers to address the issue seriously.
In the meantime, the RAC offers practical advice to drivers affected by headlight glare, including proper use of rear-view mirrors and consultation with optometrists for glare-minimizing solutions.
