This month we report on the issue of headlights that dazzle. There is a growing call from drivers for the Government to act to reduce the risk from bright LED headlights, which although they can be great for improving a driver’s view of the road ahead, are often blinding for other road users who encounter them and so raise night time road risks.
THE MOTH EFFECT AND GLARE FROM HEADLIGHTS INCREASING
ROAD RISK
The prevalence of drivers being dazzled by overly bright headlights has been growing for some time. Drivers are now calling on the Government to address the use of LED headlights and how they can impact driving in the dark and their link to
raised road risk.
Motoring organisations and drivers have called on the Government to unveil new traffic laws that aim to crack down on bright LED headlights that dazzle other road users. Data from the RAC suggests that 85 per cent of British drivers have reported being affected by headlight glare while 90 per cent said car headlights were too bright.
Several reasons for the growing issue have been proposed, including the rising popularity of SUVs that are raised higher off the road and the move away from traditional headlight bulbs. Older, yellow halogen bulbs give off a warmer light and are usually not as intense as the new standard of white LED lightbulbs which can cause issues. While LED headlights are great for improving a driver’s view of the road ahead, this can be to the detriment of other road users who encounter them. The RAC conducted a survey & when asked to estimate how long it takes to see clearly again after getting dazzled by other drivers’ lights, 68% of those questioned said it takes between one and five seconds, and one-in-10 (11%) say it takes six or more seconds – which is enough for a driver travelling at 60mph to cover 160 metres, the equivalent of 40 car lengths.
Government collision statistics show that since 2013, there has been an average of 280 collisions a year where dazzling headlights were a contributory factor. Of these, six a year involved someone losing their life. On the one hand, brighter headlights can be a good thing as they give drivers a
clearer and safer view of the road ahead when driving in the dark, but this has a negative affect on those at the receiving end of excessively bright lights.
The Moth Effect theory suggests many collisions in the dark are caused by drivers becoming mesmerized by car headlights, much like when moths are drawn to a flame. Becoming disorientated or blinded by oncoming vehicle head lights can cause drivers to veer off their carriageway, have a near miss or collision as they struggle with vision and confusion if drawn towards the lights of parked or travelling vehicles.
Drivers should keep the following issues in mind:
- Don’t tailgate and follow the lights of a vehicle in front.
- Reduce your speed if you feel tired.
- Reduce your speed when it’s dark anyway because your visibility is
reduced. - Take regular breaks when you’re driving in the dark.
- Maintain good posture behind the wheel to keep the blood flowing.
- Keep the interior of your vehicle cool.
- Plan your route to include time for rest breaks.
- Think about any other factors such as prescription drugs that could make
you feel drowsy.
