In England, the issue of the glare from LED headlights on cars has now become a political issue. The minister wants to change the rules.
A British minister is taking action in the debate over dazzling LED headlights. She wants a new law to address the problem, which thousands of drivers have signed a petition to solve.
The government has launched an investigation into the problem of dazzling LED headlights and is planning measures to reduce glare.
The study, which is expected to be completed this summer, will map out various factors, including why some drivers feel dazzled by LED lights. The British say this is particularly a problem on country roads.
"The government-backed inquiry into the use of LED lights on our roads should help to clarify this issue further and ensure appropriate action is taken where necessary," Minister Lillian Greenwood told the Daily Mail .
Graeme Downie, also a member of parliament, is concerned that LED headlights improve visibility for some drivers but dazzle others.
Data from National Collisions shows that glare from headlights contributed to 216 traffic accidents in 2023. That number is up from 211 the year before.
According to a survey by the British automobile association, 8 out of 10 drivers believe they are dazzled by oncoming cars with LED headlights.
52 percent responded that they also feel dazzled when there are LED lights in the rearview mirror. Other drivers have reported discomfort from taller cars such as SUVs.
"Statistics of traffic accidents where being dazzled is a contributing factor have not decreased in recent years. On the contrary, there have been more accidents," says Lilian Greenwood, Minister of Transport.
Despite the dissatisfaction of drivers and the questions raised in the British Parliament, Greenwood says there is no clear link between the use of LED headlights and an increase in road accidents in general.
Nevertheless, the government wants the ongoing investigation to be completed. Politicians hope to have some concrete results to report on as early as this summer.
Depending on the results, new road regulations or technical changes to British cars could be introduced. Greenwood stresses that road safety is the highest priority and that all possible measures will be considered to reduce the nuisance from LED headlights.
Seven tips to limit the impact of glare – and prevent dazzling others
- Slow down at night. If you are blinded by the headlights of oncoming cars, slow down to reduce the risk of accidents. However, avoid braking or stopping suddenly to avoid the risk of being hit from behind.
- Do not look directly at or toward oncoming headlights. To avoid being dazzled, do not look directly at the headlights of other cars. Instead, follow the right edge of the road or the white line, if there is one, to keep track of your position and also check for road glare along the sides.
- Keep your windshield clean. A dirty or fogged windshield can increase glare from oncoming traffic. Make sure your windshield is clean and free of fog, especially in cold weather.
- Adjust the rearview mirror. In the dark, you can lower the rearview mirror to reduce the risk of being dazzled by drivers behind you. Many new cars have automatic dimming in the rearview mirror. If your car does not have it, you will need to adjust the mirror manually.
- Use low beams when possible. Use low beams instead of high beams in well-lit areas or when passing other cars to avoid dazzling other drivers.
- Adjust your headlights regularly Make sure your headlights are adjusted correctly, especially if you often drive with heavy objects that can affect the height of the light beam. Incorrectly adjusted headlights can both dazzle others and impair your own vision.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Be extra aware of glare in bad weather situations.
