The government is looking into claims that modern car headlights are too bright, following concerns from the public that some drivers are being left blinded and dazzled on the roads. Last year, excessively bright headlights were reportedly a factor in 216 accidents.
According to the AA, its members have reported being “blinded” by LED lights on vehicles while driving, with the organisation’s president Edmund King highlighting the issue.
Data on road collisions shows that dazzling headlights were a contributing factor in 216 incidents in 2023, with Kent and Surrey being the worst-affected areas, each with 11 collisions. Although this is an increase from 211 the previous year, it is a decrease from 315 in 2017 and 309 a decade ago.
Transport minister Lilian Greenwood has been asked to assess the safety of LED headlights, but statistics “do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively” to road accidents. The government is expecting independent research on headlight glare to be published this summer.
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.
Meanwhile, Mr King stated: “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.”
Martin Vickers, MP for Brigg and Immingham, has been pushing for further action to “reduce the dazzle” and held a debate on the issue in May. During the discussion, Mr Vickers referenced a Grimsby Telegraph story published in January 2024 featuring comments from local road users which came following a report issued by the RAC on the matter around that time.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “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.”
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.