The UK government plans to introduce a review of headlight glares following complaints from drivers, as revealed by a survey from the RAC. Campaigners have praised the move after years of expressing concerns about excessively bright headlight glare, which they believe increases the risk of accidents.
The introduction of LED lights, replacing traditional halogen bulbs, is cited by the RAC as the reason for headlights appearing brighter. While LED lights provide a better view for the driver, they pose risks to other drivers on the road.
The poll of 2,000 UK drivers revealed that four out of five feel the headlight glare issue is worsening, with 89% of drivers considering some car headlights too bright. The survey also found that two-thirds of drivers reported being significantly slowed down by headlight glare. This report prompted a petition with 10,000 signatures to encourage ministers to look into this issue.
In response, the Department of Transport (DfT) announced that there will be international rules for new cars to have compulsory automatic headlight levelling based on weight, following an agreement with the UN last year. This will come into effect in September 2027.
UK government data also reveals there have been an average of 280 collisions where headlight glares were a contributing factor, resulting in six fatalities each year.
The DfT said the government’s research will lead to a better understanding of “the root causes of driver glare and identify any further appropriate mitigations.”
RAC’s road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, says: “The fact the government has listened to drivers’ concerns and heeded our calls to examine the complex issue of headlight glare in more detail marks a real turning point.”
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