Modern headlight brightness causing safety dangers

65 per cent of drivers say they regularly get dazzled by oncoming headlights even though they are dipped, according to new research by the RAC.

The headlights of some newer cars are so bright that they're causing a safety hazard for drivers, with 15 per cent of motorists claiming they have suffered a near-miss as a result of being dazzled.

A range of different types of headlights are fitted to vehicles in the UK, from traditional halogen headlamps to the brighter, newer xenon. High intensity discharge (HID) lights and LED headlights, which are said to produce a light more similar to daylight that's less likely to dazzle drivers, are also used.

The RAC survery of 2061 drivers found that six in ten drivers think modern vehicle headlights are so bright they risk causing other motorists to have accidents. Of those who claimed to regularly get dazzled by oncoming dipped headlights, the majority felt it takes up to five seconds before they can see clearly again.

The research comes before the new MoT rules are introduced on 20 May 2018. The changes include a ban on aftermarket HID headlamps, with owners required to convert their HID headlamps back to halogen.

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A driver recovering from being dazzled by headlights for five seconds, while driving at 60mph, would cover a distance of 134 metres - which is more than the length of a football pitch.

Among those who think modern car headlights are too bright, half said they get dazzled by headlights in their rear view mirror. This has led to 62 per cent constantly having to click their mirrors up and down to avoid being dazzled, with 21 per cent relying on their wing mirrors more.

Seven in ten drivers admitted to finding it difficult to see whether or not some approaching vehicles had their indicators on due to the brightness of the headlights.

All cars sold for road use in the UK have to be fitted with headlights that conform to standards set by the EU in line with the United Nations' World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations. The UN's Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling is currently looking at the issue of headlight glare in response to public concerns.