DfT commissions study into headlight glare

The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned TRL – Transport Research Laboratory – to investigate why drivers are being dazzled by headlights.

The previous Government announced earlier this year that it would investigate the problem in response to an online petition about the issue.

That came after research from the RAC showed that drivers claiming the glare from headlights is getting worse. 

TRL says it is working with the DfT to understand the factors that can cause glare, and how to address them.

In a project, which starts this month (October 2024) and will run until spring 2025, TRL will deploy instruments on a car and use it to measure light levels experienced by drivers during real driving on UK roads.

Factors like the vehicles around the instrumented car, weather conditions and ambient lighting will also be measured, to build a complete understanding of the conditions that are most likely to give rise to high brightness levels, and glare.

A review of scientific evidence and engagement with a range of stakeholders will also be undertaken to make sure that the project builds a comprehensive understanding of the topic, and generates actionable recommendations for the DfT to take forward in international working groups related to this issue.

RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis, said: “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.”

The RAC has been surveying drivers on dazzling headlights since 2018, but recent findings from a survey of 2,000 drivers suggested that 85% believe it is more commonplace.

The survey also found that 89% of drivers think at least some headlights are too bright, of which three-in-10 (28%) – the highest recorded – think most are.

Of the drivers who complained about the brightness of car headlights, some 91% said they get dazzled when driving, with three-quarters (74%) saying this happens regularly.