Government-commissioned project looking at dazzling headlights to kick off

The TRL has started practical trials to assess the conditions that drivers complain of as glare from the headlights of oncoming vehicles – particularly at night.

TRL has announced that they will be working with the Department for Transport (DfT) to understand the factors that can cause headlight glare.

Results of the research will be used to address the problem.

From October 2024 through Spring 2025, TRL will equip a car with instruments to measure light levels encountered by drivers on UK roads.

The project will also assess factors such as surrounding vehicles, weather conditions, and ambient lighting to develop a thorough understanding of the circumstances that lead to high brightness levels and glare.

Additionally, a review of scientific literature and consultations with various stakeholders will be conducted to ensure the project provides a comprehensive understanding of the topic, ultimately generating actionable recommendations for the DfT to present in international working groups addressing this issue.

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An RAC survey of 2,000 drivers revealed that a significant 89% believe that at least some car headlights on the road today are too bright, with 28% - the highest proportion to date - claiming that most are excessively bright.

Among those drivers who express concerns about headlight brightness, 91% report experiencing glare, with 74% stating that this happens regularly.

Regarding the impact of glare, two-thirds (67%) of those affected say they need to slow down significantly until their vision clears, while a similar number (64%) believe that some headlights are so bright they pose a risk of accidents.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis: “We’re pleased to be contributing to this important piece of work that we very much hope will get to the bottom of the glare issue experienced by so many drivers up and down the country.

“Our own long-term research shows that a significant proportion of the driving population struggle with dazzle, with some people reducing how much they drive, or even giving up driving at night altogether.

“Understanding what’s causing these problems, and most importantly what can be done about them in the future, will be a huge step forward for drivers.”