RAC Calls for Government Action on Headlight Glare Intensify as 80% of Drivers Report Increasing Discomfort

In a significant move addressing a growing concern among motorists, the RAC has urged the government to initiate an independent study into the escalating issue of headlight glare, which has seen an overwhelming 85% of affected individuals believing the problem has worsened. This plea comes in light of recent research, revealing that a staggering 89% of drivers find at least some car headlights excessively bright, with 28% considering the majority to be too intense. These findings underscore a critical road safety issue, particularly pronounced on Cornwall’s winding and often dimly-lit roads, where the impact of glare can be acutely felt.

The survey conducted by the RAC involved 2,000 drivers and exposed the extent of the problem: 91% of respondents reported being dazzled by headlights, with 74% experiencing this regularly. The effects of such glare are profound, with two-thirds (67%) of those affected having to significantly slow down to regain clear vision, and 64% acknowledging the potential for such brightness to precipitate accidents. Alarmingly, 7% of drivers find the glare so severe that they avoid night-time driving entirely, a figure that doubles among those aged 65 and over.

Cornwall’s drivers, navigating the region’s unique roadways, might find themselves particularly vulnerable to headlight glare, raising questions about the local impact of this nationwide issue. The question of whether Cornwall’s motorists have been dazzled on their roads adds a regional dimension to the RAC’s findings, suggesting a need for localised attention alongside national intervention.

The RAC’s investigation into the causes of glare suggests a combination of factors, including the increasing prevalence of LED headlights and the misalignment of lights. LED technology, while enhancing the driver’s visibility, poses challenges for oncoming traffic, exacerbated by the rising number of SUVs that sit higher off the road. This issue is not limited to subjective discomfort but is reflected in MOT failures due to poor headlight aim, hinting at a broader compliance and regulatory challenge.

Government statistics further emphasise the issue, with headlight glare being a contributing factor in an average of 280 collisions annually since 2013. This backdrop has propelled the RAC to work closely with officials, including Baroness Hayter, to advocate for driver safety and push for comprehensive research to understand and mitigate the effects of dazzling headlights.

As this issue gains traction, with the RAC set to meet with the Government, the call for action resonates not just among policymakers but also within communities across Cornwall and beyond. Motorists and road safety experts alike await decisive steps to address a concern that, while perhaps overshadowed by other road safety issues, poses a clear and present danger to night-time road users.