Headlight glare forcing a fifth of drivers to swerve
New research has found that headlight glare has forced nearly a fifth of drivers to swerve away from oncoming vehicles.
Meanwhile, more than a fifth of drivers (55%) said headlight glare has made driving at night less safe, and 45% believe the issue is getting worse.
This is according to January’s Startline Used Car Tracker, which also found that 48% of drivers have had to slow or stop their car because of dazzling headlights and 47% said it takes their eyes a few seconds to recover.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “Only eight per cent of motorists in our research believe the brighter headlights fitted to modern cars are making driving safer and that the better visibility they offer outweighs the possibility of being dazzled.
“That’s quite a damning verdict on the newer technology being used. Especially, the finding that one in five drivers have actively swerved out of the way of an oncoming vehicle because of glare is worrying.”
The findings back similar research from The AA, RAC and Department for Transport, with the government announcing in its Road Safety Strategy that it will work with industry to consider the causes of glare and potential steps to mitigate the issue.
