An RAC survey of 2,000 drivers revealed that 89% believed that at least some car headlights on the road today were too bright, with 28% – the highest proportion to date – claiming most were ‘excessively bright’. This issue has been a point of contention among millions of drivers, with concerns growing about the brightness of modern car headlights, especially at night.
Among the drivers who were worried about headlight brightness, 91% reported experiencing glare, with 74% stating that this happened regularly. The impact of glare was significant, with two-thirds (67%) of affected drivers admitting they needed to slow down significantly until their vision cleared, while a similar number (64%) believed that excessively bright headlights posed a risk of accidents.
In response to these concerns, action is being taken to address the issue. The Transport Research Foundation’s subsidiary, the TRL, has initiated research into headlight glare on roads, with contributions from the RAC. Practical trials are underway to assess complaints from drivers about glare from headlights of oncoming vehicles, particularly at night, in collaboration with the Department for Transport. The results of these trials aim to offer solutions to the problem.
The project will look into various factors such as surrounding vehicles, weather conditions, and ambient lighting to gain a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances leading to high brightness levels and glare. The ultimate goal is to develop actionable recommendations for the Department for Transport to present in international working groups focusing on this issue.
The RAC website states that from October 2024 to Spring 2025, TRL will equip a car with instruments to measure light levels encountered by drivers on UK roads. Additionally, there will be a review of scientific literature and consultations with stakeholders to ensure a thorough understanding of the topic. RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis expressed optimism about the research, hoping for progress in addressing the glare issue that impacts many drivers nationwide.