New RAC survey reveals that headlight glare is getting worse

A major new study on headlight glare from the RAC has revealed that almost all drivers agree vehicle headlights can be too bright – more than a third (36%) believe most are, with a further 59% saying some of them are. 

Drivers aged under thirty five are more likely to say most headlights are too bright (41%), as are those who drive conventional hatchbacks, estates and saloons. Furthermore, six-in-10 UK drivers (61%) who suffer from headlight glare say the problem has worsened in just 12 months, with only a quarter (26%) disagreeing.

Of the motorists who still drive at night, nearly a fifth (17%) say bright headlights leave them feeling tired and fatigued while driving, while 16% say they’ve suffered with headaches, migraines and/or eye pain.

Over-bright headlights are likely to have a significant economic impact with a quarter of drivers (25%) who find vehicle headlights too bright are driving less at night as a result, while 22% say they wish they could. 

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: ““What has gone from a mere frustration is now having a profound impact on people – whether that’s momentarily being blinded while driving or struggling to judge the speed or position of a vehicle ahead. The fact such a high proportion of people are also driving less at night – or wish they could – is remarkable and demonstrates the need for glare to be tackled. Baroness Dianne Hayter said: “The RAC has produced the evidence, now the Government needs to take action – whether on the colour, intensity or angle of these glaring lights.”

This RAC survey confirms what LightAware and light-sensitive people have been saying for a number of years – LED headlights are incompatible with dark adapted human eyesight – they are too bright, too blue and blinding over too long a distance.

For full results see  https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/quarter-of-drivers-affected-by-bright-headlights-drive-less-at-night

Next Post: Sunday Times article condemns ‘Blinding Stupidity’ of increasingly bright LED headlights