In June, LightAware held a meeting with advisors and experts from the lighting industry to consider our response to the roll out of LED street lighting.
We have serious concerns about the effect of LED street lights on light-sensitive people, as well as older people, drivers, pedestrians and wildlife. This has become a serious and urgent issue of social exclusion as the increasing predominance of very bright LED street lighting means the streets are inaccessible after dark to people who are sensitive to this form of light.
We believe that people should be able to access the streets at night without pain and discomfort. We question whether sufficient research has been undertaken, and whether clear standards are in place to regulate the use of this very new technology. The light created by LED is fundamentally different from other known forms of light and the same standards are not necessarily applicable in terms of measuring light, energy-efficiency or safety.