“It’s like everyone is driving around with full beams on.”
Bright lights at dusk(Image: Tim Ockenden/PA Wire)
Liverpool drivers joined in a rallying call against “blinding” LED car headlights in a recent ECHO poll. A resounding 95% of readers have so far agreed that headlights are too bright in a poll after complaints were raised in Parliament.
AA president Edmund King said members had reported being “blinded” by LED lights while driving. Labour MP Graeme Downie, speaking in the Commons this week, also warned that some drivers are “less aware of the impact their own lighting might have on others”.
Transport minister Lilian Greenwood, asked for the Department for Transport’s assessment of the safety of LED headlights, amd said statistics “do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively” to road vehicle collisions.
But ECHO readers agreed that modern headlights were too bright, as one driver complained: “It’s like everyone is driving around with full beams on.”
Kyle Sanders said: “Majority of times with cars with LED lights I’m always under the impression that they’re full beam lights as they blind me whether it’s coming from the opposite side of the road or whether I’m overtaking.”
Ruth Jefferies said: “I have to wear night driving glasses to try and stop myself being blinded by these strong headlights and what’s worse is some people insist on having their lights on full beam when driving in well-lit areas.”
Steph Wright described the overpoweringly bright lights as “ridiculous”, adding: “Especially if you have a small car and a higher car is behind you. Literally blinding. There is no need for them to be as bright as they are.”
Tracie Windy Miller said: “I try not to drive at night now because of these bright headlights. They dazzle me and I can’t see properly which is worse if it’s raining. And don’t get me started on these daytime running lights. Drivers with those don’t realise their rear lights aren’t on so in bad weather especially on the motorway you can’t always see them until you’re too close sometimes.”
Martyn Smith said: “The angle of the beam is the issue! Although a lot are very bright and blinding. Headlights should be pointing down to the ground. Not up and into the eyes of the driver in the oncoming vehicle!”