UK Drivers Think Car Headlights Are Too Bright and Problem is Getting Worse
A new study conducted by the RAC has found that nine out of ten UK drivers (89%) think that some or most car headlights are too bright, with a huge 88% of these respondents saying that they're dazzled whilst driving.
The study, which looked at 2,700 UK drivers, also found that the problem appears to be worsening. 63% of drivers who said they are dazzled think that it is happening more frequently than a year or two ago and a quarter of these claim that it happens to them “regularly”.
Of drivers who believe headlights are too bright, 67% said they are unable to tell if headlights on oncoming vehicles are on full beam or in fact dipped.
It was also found that younger drivers were more likely to be affected by this issue, with 30% of 17 - 34-year-olds saying that car headlights are too bright compared to 19% of those aged 65 and over.
RAC Spokesperson, Rod Dennis commented: “There are a number of factors that contribute to whether a headlight dazzles another driver or not, the most important being the angle of the headlights as you look at them.”
Drivers may need to adjust the angle of their headlights depending on the load they're transporting – even carrying just four passengers can impact the angle of the beam. You can check your manual to find out how to adjust this – usually there is a switch on the dashboard.
Another factor affecting this could be faulty lights. It is your responsibility to fix or replace your vehicle lights if they aren’t up to standard for UK roads. If you're unsure on the state of your lights, you can book a car service at your local dealership where this will be checked, alongside other important vehicle components.
For drivers who are worried about being dazzled, adjusting the rear-view mirror can reduce glare from behind. Or, if you’re searching for a new car, try looking for an option that comes with self-dimming technology on the rear-view mirror and darkened glass in the back – both of these features will significantly reduce the brightness of lights around you.
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