New Study Highlights Alarmingly High Levels of Headlight Glare Among UK Drivers
A recent study by British automotive services company RAC revealed that 25% of UK drivers who perceive vehicle headlights as overly bright reduce their nighttime journeys to avoid glare. An additional 22% of drivers who took part in the study expressed a desire to reduce their nighttime driving.
The study reveals the significant discomfort and safety concerns associated with headlight glare, which affects drivers across the country. It also highlights driver safety. Nearly half (49%) of participants reported feeling less safe on the roads due to headlight glare, while 5% have completely ceased nighttime driving.
The study also highlighted the multifaceted nature of headlight glare, influenced by factors including headlight alignment, advancements in lighting technology, and vehicle height. As more drivers opt for taller SUVs over traditional vehicles, the issue has become increasingly pronounced.
Allan Howard (BEng (Hons) CEng FILP), Group Technical Director Lighting & Energy Solutions for WSP, said, “I am concerned that the problem with modern vehicle exterior lighting is being focused just on the headlights and vehicles coming towards the driver.”
Howard, who is also a Fellow of the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP), continued, “It is much more than this, as I reported in the ILP’s Lighting Journal in September 2024. The whole approach to external lights, especially on cars, needs addressing. As some in the media have commented, there seems to be an arms race between vehicle manufacturers. We are seeing varied designs of daytime running lights, rear lighting systems, and brake lights. Research shows that the shape and design of these can, through inducing phantom arrays when the observer makes rapid eye movement, affect distance perception.” He spoke.
“We are also seeing more external lighting being applied that essentially serves no purpose except to be a glare source or further make distance perception of the vehicle a problem. In this context, I refer to light bars below the bonnet joining up the headlights and the same on the rear of the car. BMW has now outlined their distinctive grill with strip LEDs, and Vauxhall makes an advertising feature over the fact that the manufacturer's badge lights up. This is just totally unnecessary.” He concluded.
In response to the RAC study, the government has commissioned a project to investigate the conditions that contribute to headlight glare and explore potential solutions. This initiative, prompted by advocacy from the RAC, Baroness Hayter, The College of Optometrists, and others, is expected to produce findings by summer 2025.
Of the 97% of drivers affected by glare, a staggering eight in 10 (79%) find it difficult to see when certain vehicles signal, while 77% struggle to gauge the position of oncoming vehicles when dazzled by bright headlights. These challenges significantly impact motorists' confidence and safety on the road.
Perry Hazell, President of the Institution of Lighting Professionals, at the ILP, said, “We recognise that the issue is multifaceted. While technology has advanced, this has helped drivers' visibility from within the vehicle but has introduced unintended consequences, particularly for those who receive an intense, poorly controlled glare.”
Regarding headlight colour, 72% of those experiencing glare associate the issue with brighter, whiter headlights, typical of LED and bi-xenon lights, while only 3% link the problem to yellower halogen headlights. Official statistics indicate an average of 280 collisions annually from 2013 due to dazzling headlights, with six resulting in fatalities each year.
Guy Harding BSc CEng FILP FSLL, who is the Technical Manager of the Institution of Lighting Professionals, said, “This problem is exacerbated as we have an ageing population. A typical 60-year-old receives only a third of the retinal illuminance of a 20-year-old. Therefore, older drivers are already working harder to see at night, and the impact of sudden bright sources on an eye adapted for darkness is more dramatic.”
Mr. Harding continued, “This makes the visual task of driving at night more difficult and will cause drivers to look away or shield them from the sources. The safety implications of this are obvious.”
Regarding the ILP’s view, Mr. Hazel said, “The ILP has long advocated for a balanced approach to lighting design and the use of light, one that prioritises both visibility and the well-being of all road users. There is an urgent need for clearer regulations and better enforcement of headlight alignment, alongside a more sensible approach to vehicle lighting design.”
“As the government investigates this issue further, the ILP stands ready to provide technical expertise and guidance to help ensure that future lighting standards strike the right balance between safety, efficiency, and visual comfort.” He concluded.
For drivers seeking advice on managing headlight glare, the RAC offers a detailed guide featuring tips to reduce the impact of dazzling lights and enhance road safety for all users.
Photo by Hyundai Motor Group
