The government is looking into claims that modern car headlights may be too bright, with drivers complaining of being blinded and dazzled while on the road. Alarmingly, in 2023, incidents involving dazzling headlights accounted for 216 accidents.
Have your say! Do you find yourself dazzled or blinded by car headlights? Are there any particular types of vehicles that are the biggest problems? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
AA members have been vocal about LED lights on cars causing them to be “blinded” during their journeys, according to Edmund King, the association’s president. Labour MP Graeme Downie, who raised the issue in a Parliamentary question, also highlighted the issue of drivers being “less aware of the impact their own lighting might have on others”.
Statistics from national collision data show that dazzling headlights were cited as a contributing factor in 216 mishaps in 2023. Kent and Surrey saw the highest number of such collisions, with each county recording 11.
While these figures represent an increase from 211 in the previous year, they are a decrease from 315 in 2017, and 309 from a decade earlier.
Transport minister Lilian Greenwood was questioned on the Department for Transport’s stance on the safety of LED headlights and pointed out that statistics “do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively” to road accidents.
The government is awaiting the results of independent research into headlight glare, which should see its findings released this summer.
Mr King commented: “Our own research shows it is an issue for some drivers with three quarters saying they have been blinded by oncoming headlights. Our members tell us that they are feeling the strain of brighter headlights more than ever before, as well as brighter brake and traffic lights.”
“Conversely, they also say brighter lights enhance road safety. The problem seems to be LED lights on higher vehicles such as SUVs. The Government-sponsored investigation into the use of LED lights on our roads should help clarify this issue further, as well as provide appropriate measures where needed.”
Meanwhile, Mr Downie, the MP for Dunfermline and Dollar in Scotland, shared with the PA news agency: “I have heard from constituents, as well as from family and friends and my own experience driving round the constituency that cars with newer LED lights can be blinding for other road users.”
“While they might illuminate the road well for the driver, they dazzle in the eyes of other road users and could be dangerous. In addition, technology such as automatic beam control that is more common means some drivers are less aware of the impact their own lighting might have on others. The safety of individual drivers cannot be at the expense of other road users and pedestrians. I am glad this is something the Government is now looking at and I look forward to the results and what action can be taken to improve road safety.”
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis has highlighted a significant issue that’s been causing quite a stir among drivers: the dazzling brightness of modern car headlights. He commented: “Few issues we deal with have triggered quite as much of a reaction among drivers as the brightness of headlights. It’s clear that, for a proportion of the driving public, glare affects them profoundly on the roads at night. But while the frustration is evident, the causes of the problem and what can be done about it are much less clear. That’s why the Government-funded project is so important.”
In response to concerns raised by Mr Downie, Ms Greenwood provided a written reply stating: “National collision statistics, which can record headlamp dazzle as a contributory factor, do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively to road vehicle collisions.”
“However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures. This work is under way and is due to deliver in summer 2025.”
Have your say! Do you find yourself dazzled or blinded by car headlights? Are there any particular types of vehicles that are the biggest problems? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.