Significant alterations could be on the horizon for UK roads as the Government continues to address the issue of "dazzling" headlights. The authorities are contemplating changes to headlight standards and cracking down on the unlawful sale of excessively bright bulbs.
This follows a recent RAC survey revealing that over a quarter of drivers admit to feeling anxious about driving in the dark due to intense headlights. A significant part of the problem is attributed to LED (light-emitting diode) headlights, which are significantly brighter than traditional halogen bulbs.
The issue is further compounded if the headlights are not properly aligned, coupled with the increasing popularity of taller vehicles like SUVs, which can direct the light beam straight into the eyes of drivers in smaller cars.
In an effort to tackle this, vehicles fitted with inappropriate headlight bulbs will fail the MOT, and vendors selling illegal bulbs could be hit with a £1,000 fine. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) stated: "We know headlight glare is frustrating for many drivers, especially as the evenings get darker.
"That's why we commissioned independent research to better understand the causes and impact of glare, which will inform new measures in the upcoming road safety strategy. Alongside this, DVSA has stepped up surveillance to intercept the sale of illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs for on-road use, and anyone caught could face a fine of up to £1,000."
The DfT keeps records of incidents where police have identified "dazzling headlights" as a contributing factor to road accidents. Over a decade, figures show that 2013 was the worst year with 369 collisions, whilst the number fell to its lowest in 2020 at 196, influenced by Covid restrictions.
An earlier survey by the RAC in December 2023 found that 85 per cent of motorists believe the problem of dazzling headlights is getting worse. The survey, which questioned 2,000 drivers, found that 89 per cent think at least some car headlights are "too bright", with 28 per cent believing "most are".
Among those impacted by bright headlights, 91 per cent said they felt "dazzled" whilst driving, with 74 per cent experiencing it "regularly". Furthermore, 64 per cent said they worried bright lights could cause accidents.
Five per cent of these drivers reported near misses caused by headlight glare. A further seven per cent admitted the glare was so intense they avoided driving at night, and this proportion rises to 14 per cent amongst drivers aged 65 and over.
Rod Dennis, the senior policy officer at the RAC, 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."
This matter is expected to be tackled in a forthcoming road safety strategy from the Government before the year concludes. Subsequent proposals for amendments to international vehicle lighting regulations, supervised by the United Nations, will follow.
