Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being 'blinded' at night

Car headlights to be reviewed after drivers complain of being 'blinded' at night

A rising concern among drivers struggling to navigate through the bright lights at night has caught the attention of the government, leading to a reevaluation of car design and headlamps on UK roads. An undisclosed study conducted on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) last winter is yet to be published, prompting plans for a fresh examination of the causes and potential solutions to this issue.

In response to the mounting problem faced by drivers, the government intends to incorporate new measures addressing headlight glare in the upcoming Road Safety Strategy. The prevalence of LED headlamps in modern vehicles has been identified as a significant contributor to the discomfort experienced by drivers on the road. LED beams, characterized by their intense brightness and focused nature, pose challenges surpassing those posed by the conventional halogen lamps found in older models.

The issue becomes more pronounced as the days grow shorter and drivers find themselves navigating their way home in the dark. Older individuals, in particular, experience longer recovery times from glare, indicating a greater vulnerability to the blinding effect of bright headlights compared to younger drivers. A recent survey conducted by the RAC revealed that one-third of drivers feel apprehensive about nighttime driving as the evenings darken, with three-quarters stating that driving has become more challenging due to the proliferation of brighter lights.

While progress in addressing glare, monitored by regulations established in 1989, has been limited, the Department for Transport acknowledges the frustration experienced by drivers amid the diminishing evening light. With the impending release of the delayed findings from last winter’s study on glare and its impact, the government is poised to introduce stricter rules concerning drink-driving and eye-sight tests for older drivers in the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy. Additionally, a fresh research initiative is underway to explore the link between vehicle design and glare, with a view to contributing to the global conversation on this pressing issue

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