Dangerous dazzle

Brighter headlights are causing problems for motorists “more than ever before”, according to a survey, but ministers have played down the road safety concerns associated with them.  

   Reported by Sky News, three-quarters of AA members have told the organisation that LED lights on vehicles are among the factors causing them to be “blinded” while driving.  This follows a survey from the RAC, who has long campaigned on the issue, which shows more than four out of five (85%) drivers affected by headlight glare said the problem is getting worse.  

   But Lilian Greenwood, the UK’s minister for the future of roads, said the data doesn’t suggest “advances in lighting technology” are making collisions more common.  DfT data shows dazzling headlights contributed to 216 collisions in 2023 – up from 211 the year before, but down from 315 in 2017 and 309 a decade ago. 

   In September, the Government confirmed it is commissioning independent research into the issue of dazzling headlights.