An hour extra in bed on Sunday is little compensation for millions of UK drivers as they face months of being dazzled by excessively bright headlights.
Nine out of 10 (86%) British drivers report being regularly dazzled by very bright headlights from oncoming vehicles, according to research by the Transport Research Laboratory. A third (31%) also say that have been dazzled by headlights during daylight hours.
A further 60% of motorists believe the problem is getting worse, while glare from improperly used fog lights is another dangerous distraction.
The problem has become so acute that one in 20 UK drivers has quit driving at night.
“This is a very real and serious problem as drivers’ forward vision is impaired,” says Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue. “The LED headlights fitted to most modern cars give excellent vision for the driver, but they can also temporarily blind oncoming motorists, so we all need to make sure our vehicles’ lights are correctly adjusted and free of damage.”
The Department for Transport is currently looking at ways to tighten the law around excessively bright headlights, but these are not expected to come into force until September 2027.
Lee Puffett adds: “Considerate use of headlights is vital. The same applies to fog lights, which should only be used when vision is reduced to 100-metres or less. You can judge this using roadside markers, and make sure you switch them off when vision improves as the high intensity of a fog light can be just as blinding as very bright headlights.”
Start Rescue, part of the Call Assist family, which supports motorists with breakdown cover across the UK and Europe has also been endorsed with Which? Recommended Provider status for eight years in succession, an achievement that’s unmatched by any other breakdown company.
Start Rescue and Call Assist are also Which? Trusted Traders. Which? is a fully independent consumer champion and, with 1.35 million members and supporters, they operate via a simple ethos: to tackle consumer harm and make life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. Only the best performers of their rigorous process of checks can reap the benefits of their Which? Trusted Trader endorsement.
