UK drivers could see major changes on the road as “dazzling” headlights could become a thing of the past. A Government report investigating LEDs and road safety found almost all motorists said this was a problem.
As part of a Department for Transport-commissioned report on “glare from vehicle lighting”, people overwhelmingly agreed that many car headlights are now “too bright”. More specifically, 96 per cent of drivers perceived “most” or “some” headlights to be too bright (36 per cent and 60 per cent respectively).
Meanwhile, 97 per cent of drivers reported they “regularly” or “sometimes” get dazzled by oncoming vehicle headlights (39 per cent and 58 per cent respectively). Seventy per cent of drivers believed “whiter-coloured” lights are responsible, with only four per cent singling out yellower-coloured, and 10 per cent both colours (16 per cent were “not sure”).
The survey also found that people found this problem was worse in higher cars. Drivers “clearly understand” the fact that higher vehicles are likely to be more responsible for glare than lower ones.
For example, 47 per cent of drivers believed that higher ride height cars are responsible for dazzling them, while the corresponding figure for lower cars was eight per cent. The report said: “Headlight glare is perceived as a problem by most drivers. These self-reported data alone are useful to have from a nationally representative sample at the same time as the on-road data collection was being undertaken.”
The report concluded that four steps could be taken, including adapting lighting regulations:
In reference to the final consideration, the report said: “Lighting regulations are currently based on testing the output of headlamps in relation to luminous intensity at various test points defined in relation to the headlamp itself, not the potential observer. Existing requirements in vehicle lighting regulations may therefore not be sufficient to address issues of glare from vehicle lights. DfT could develop proposals for regulatory amendments building on findings from the research in consideration 3.”
At the time this report was commissioned, the then future roads minister Lilian Greenwood commented: "All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested, and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare and ensure safety on a broad range of roads and environments.
"However, noting increased public concern about headlamp glare, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes and develop potential countermeasures."
Part of the recent issue with headlight glare is due to the fact that LED (light emitting diode) headlights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen bulbs. This is worsened if headlights are not properly aligned and the increasing popularity of taller vehicles like SUVs, which can direct the light beam more directly into the eyes of drivers in lower cars.
The Department for Transport records how many times each year a police officer has noted “dazzling headlights” as a factor contributing to an accident. Over a decade, the data shows the highest number of collisions in 2013 at 369, and the lowest in 2020 at 196 - which was influenced by the Covid lockdowns.
To read the report in full, click here.