Clock change turns spotlight on headlight glare
More than eight in 10 drivers are worried about headlight glare when the clocks go back this weekend, according to research by the RAC.
It found that 83% of drivers said they are concerned about the impact glare will have on their driving as darkness falls earlier in the day, while 76% said that headlight glare is becoming an increasing problem.
Among drivers who get dazzled, 50% said overly bright headlights make it harder to spot other road hazards, 49% said it makes it harder to see road signs and markings and 47% said it becomes more difficult to judge the position of oncoming vehicles.
The data also found that 43% can’t easily judge other vehicles’ speed and distance, 35% said they get temporarily blinded and 14% of dazzled drivers said they have narrowly avoided a collision.
An independent study commissioned by the government concluded that brighter modern headlights do increase glare, with further research expected to get begin shortly as part of the Road Safety Strategy.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “The shorter days are here, which means millions of drivers will once again have to contend with the unwelcome effects of headlight dazzle. Our latest figures uncover an uncomfortable irony: the very headlights that illuminate the road for drivers and keep them safe could be doing the polar opposite for others by temporarily blinding them.
“While nothing can stop the nights drawing in at this time of year, drivers continue to feel strongly that more can and should be being done to reduce the dazzle they experience.
“Let’s be clear – good forward lighting plays a vital role in keeping drivers safe and nothing should compromise that. But when this comes at a cost to other road users, including motorists themselves, something must change.”
