A significant majority of British motorists, 82 per cent, are increasingly worried about being dazzled by vehicle headlights as the evenings draw in earlier, a new survey has revealed.
The poll, commissioned by the RAC and involving 1,701 regular UK drivers, highlights the intense brightness of some modern headlights as the primary cause of anxiety for those driving in the dark.
The recent change in clocks, which saw them go back an hour on Sunday, means the sun now sets earlier, leading to more commutes taking place in darkness.
Of the 38 per cent of drivers who admitted to feeling nervous about night-time driving, three-quarters (75 per cent) directly attributed this to the glare from oncoming vehicles.
This compares to 63 per cent who found it harder to spot hazards, and 41 per cent who struggled to judge the speed of other cars.
The RAC suggests that the increased luminosity stems from the widespread adoption of bi-xenon or LED bulbs over traditional halogen lights. While these newer technologies enhance the driver’s own visibility, they can unfortunately compromise the safety and comfort of other road users.
A government-commissioned report into headlight glare, conducted by consultancy TRL, is anticipated to be published in the near future.
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.
Other potential factors include badly aligned headlights and the prevalence of SUVs, which generally have headlights in a higher position.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Unfortunately, for a lot of drivers, the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort.
“The fact [that] headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness from driving at night underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead – so there’s a balance to be struck.”
Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said many people are responding to the problem of headlight glare by “reducing their driving in the evenings”.
He urged motorists to check the aim of their headlights and ensure the lenses are clean.
Denise Voon, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, said patients are “telling us more frequently” that headlight glare is “affecting their ability to see clearly while driving”.
She went on: “We look forward to the findings from the Government’s headlight glare research project and hope this evidence enables the industry to find a solution that will reduce headlight glare and make driving at night safer for everyone.”
A Westminster Hall debate on the issue will be held on Wednesday.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “We know headlight glare is frustrating for many drivers, especially as the evenings get darker.
“That’s why we commissioned independent research to better understand the causes and impact of glare, which will inform new measures in the upcoming Road Safety Strategy.
“Alongside this, DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) has stepped up surveillance to intercept the sale of illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs for on-road use, and anyone caught could face a fine of up to £1,000.”
The survey was conducted by the research company Online95 earlier this month.
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