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The RAC calls for action over dangerous headlight glare

26 February 2024

The RAC is calling on the UK government to commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare, which is largely blamed on the growing widespread use of LED lights over traditional halogen bulbs. 
 
This comes after new research by the motoring organisation found that 91 per cent of respondents reported being dazzled by headlights. 
 
Key figures from the report include: 

• 67 per cent of those who have suffered from headlight glare say they had to slow down considerably until they could see clearly again.
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• 64 per cent believe some headlights are so bright they risk causing accidents.
• Almost one-in-10 said they find headlight glare so bad that they avoid driving at night altogether.

The RAC also asked drivers to estimate how long it takes them to see clearly again after being dazzled by oncoming headlights: 

• 68 per cent said it takes between one and five seconds. 
• 11 per cent said it takes six or more – the motoring organisation noted that six seconds is long enough for a driver travelling at 60mph to cover 160 metres (40 car lengths).

Interestingly, 44 per cent of respondents thought the dazzling effect could be caused by misaligned headlights. There may be some validity to this, given that information obtained through a Freedom of Information request to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in November 2023 found that since 2019 an average of 1.6 million Class 4 vehicles failed their MOTs as a result of poor headlight aim.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis 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 do 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 view of the road, but that appears to come at a cost for those on the receiving end of excessively bright lights.

“The numbers of reported road casualties where headlight glare was listed as a contributing factor might be small when compared to something like speeding, but that only tells part of the story. Is it right we have such a high proportion of drivers who feel unsafe when they’re driving at night, with some having even given up night-time trips altogether?”

Director of Knowledge and Research at the College of Optometrists Mike Bowen said, “The results from this research by the RAC are helpful to inform our understanding of how changes in vehicle headlight technologies may be affecting both the functional vision of young and older drivers, and their visual comfort, when driving at night. Older drivers are likely to be disproportionately affected by headlight glare, so may be more likely to experience difficulties or to decide not to drive at night at all.

“We urge the Government to commission more technical and clinical research to have a better understanding of this issue and what should be done to ease the effects of dazzling headlights.”

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