Drivers dazzled by headlights say issue has worsened – poll

More than half of drivers who feel dazzled by the headlights of oncoming vehicles think the problem has worsened over the last year, a new survey suggests.

The RAC, which commissioned the poll, said the issue was making many motorists feel “less safe or confident behind the wheel”.

Nearly a third (32%) of 1,745 UK drivers surveyed last month said they were regularly dazzled by headlights, while 62% said it happened occasionally.

Of these respondents, 57% believed the problem had become more serious in the previous 12 months.

Some 33% of those affected by dazzle said it made them feel less safe driving at night.

Half (51%) of those who got dazzled said they struggled to see hazards or road markings when the issue was happening, while 42% reported being unable to confidently judge the speed or distance of oncoming vehicles.

One in four (25%) said they had been temporarily blinded.

The RAC believes headlights appear brighter on modern cars because the use of bi-xenon or LED – rather than traditional halogen bulbs – creates a more intense beam, which improves a driver’s view, but can be to the detriment of other road users.

The Government has said its plans to conduct more research into headlight glare.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said dazzle from headlights was a “perennial problem for drivers” and it was “clearer than ever” that they wanted to see something done about it.

He said: “For some it’s just a mild annoyance but for others it’s tangibly affecting their lives as drivers – from feeling less safe or confident behind the wheel to avoiding nighttime journeys altogether, even if that means missing appointments or opportunities to spend time with friends and family.

“Drivers consistently tell us the height of vehicles, and the apparent colour of headlights are contributors to glare, so these are two areas we believe the Government should consider in its next stage of research.”

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards for road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, described the survey’s results as a “real wake-up call”.

He said: “We urgently need better education for drivers, clearer standards for vehicle lighting, and closer collaboration between Government, manufacturers, regulators and road safety organisations to ensure we’re striking the balance between giving drivers the luminance they need while not adversely impacting on those outside of the vehicle.”

Denise Voon, clinical advisor at The College of Optometrists, advised drivers to minimise the impact of headlight glare by always wearing their prescription glasses if they had them for driving.

The RAC’s website has advice on how drivers can minimise the likelihood of their headlights dazzling others, such as keeping them clean and ensuring they are correctly angled for the weight being carried.

– The survey of 1,745 regular UK drivers was conducted by research company Online95.