Are car headlights too bright?
In recent years, drivers have experienced significant advancements in vehicle technology, with many vehicles being equipped with more powerful headlights. While these high-intensity headlights offer improved visibility for drivers, they can also pose a serious threat on the road.
A new report, put forward by concerned road users and specialists, advocates for improved regulations on the brightness of car headlights to reduce the risk of dazzling oncoming drivers. The group will meet with the Department of Transport’s Lords Minister on the 16th of January to present their case, urging the government to undertake research to better understand the issue.
This may include an investigation into the need to introduce appropriate standards on new technology, which includes LED headlights which produce glare and may temporarily blind other drivers.
Baroness Hayter explained: “The Group’s first interaction with Ministers led them to say: No problem here, no evidence of deaths or serious injuries. Since then, the public have reached out to tell us they disagree, and that many are stopping driving at night, with eight out of 10 drivers surveyed wanting action to reduce glare.”
“We know other countries share our concern, with drivers demanding action. The Government needs to heed our call for action and be on the side of road safety.”
The Highway Code states the following regarding this issue:
You MUST NOT
• use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
• use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users
You should also
• use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen
• keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle and then change to main beam if necessary, unless this would dazzle oncoming road users
• slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights
A survey, conducted by the RAC, found that out of a group of 2,000 drivers questioned, 89% think that at least some headlights on cars on the road today are too bright. Worryingly, 91% stated that they get dazzled when driving and 74% stated that this happened regularly.
The findings of both the research conducted by the RAC and the report show that motorists consider car headlight brightness as a potential major issue.
So, why is this becoming a bigger issue?
This could be a direct result in the increased prevalence of cars being fitted with LED headlights. This leads to a much more intense and focused beam when compared to conventional “yellow” halogen bulbs fitted on older vehicle models. Some also believe that as new models of cars are getting bigger and sitting higher up, vehicles that sit closer to the ground may be more affected by headlights.
Whatever the reason for headlight glare, it is clear that this issue is one that drivers feel strongly about, with 81% saying that more should be done to tackle it.
Tips to deal with bright headlights
If you find yourself being dazzled frequently, the following are a few tips to help you drive safely and minimise the impact of bright headlights.
1. Adjust your mirrors
One practical solution to mitigate the impact of headlights is to adjust your mirrors. Tilt the rearview mirror slightly to reduce the glare from vehicles behind you. Additionally, you can adjust your side mirrors to minimise the reflection of bright lights directly into your eyes.
2. Utilise anti-glare features
Many modern vehicles come equipped with anti-glare features, such as auto-dimming rearview mirrors. These features can help to reduce the intensity of bright lights reflected into your mirrors.
3. Keep your windshield clean
A clean windshield is crucial for maintaining optimal visibility. Make sure to regularly clean the interior and exterior surfaces of your windshield to eliminate smudges and streaks that may make visibility and glare worse.
4. Dim your dashboard lights
Dashboard lights can create a stark contrast with the darkness outside, making it more challenging for your eyes to adjust to oncoming headlights. For this reason, if available, you should consider dimming your dashboard lights to a lower intensity.
5. Contact your optometrist
For those that wear glasses to drive, you may be able to talk with your optometrist about a glare-minimising coating for the lenses. This can help to improve your vision by reducing glare and reflections from your lenses.
In conclusion, dealing with bright car headlights requires a combination of proactive measures and adaptive strategies. It’s crucial for all drivers to take steps to try to improve road safety while we wait to see if the Government will implement improved regulations.
Read the full report here: https://lightaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Vehicle-headlight-glare.pdf
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