Headlight glare is blinding drivers – The AA
Research from The AA has revealed that LED headlight glare is blinding drivers, but the government says there is no evidence this is leading to more collisions.
According to The AA, brighter headlights have become a bigger problem for motorists than ever before, with three quarters of its members saying they have been blinded by glare.
AA president Edmund King said: “Our own research shows it is an issue for some drivers with three quarters saying they have been blinded by oncoming headlights. Our members tell us that they are feeling the strain of brighter headlights more than ever before, as well as brighter brake and traffic lights.
“Conversely, they also say brighter lights enhance road safety. The problem seems to be LED lights on higher vehicles such as SUVs.”
Headlight glare
This comes after research from the RAC found that 85% of drivers said headlight glare was getting worse.
Senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Few issues we deal with have triggered quite as much of a reaction among drivers as the brightness of headlights. It’s clear that, for a proportion of the driving public, glare affects them profoundly on the roads at night. But while the frustration is evident, the causes of the problem and what can be done about it are much less clear.”
The government has commissioned research into the issue of dazzling headlights, but insists brighter headlights are not a road safety concern.
MP Greenwood said:
“National collision statistics, which can record headlamp dazzle as a contributory factor, do not show any discernible trend to suggest that advances in lighting technology are contributing negatively to road vehicle collisions. However, noting increased public concern, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and develop potential countermeasures.
