Older Drivers May Face New Laws as Labour Targets Headlight Glare

Older drivers could soon be subject to new regulations as the Labour Party pushes to address the growing problem of headlight glare. Recent data reveals that four out of five motorists have experienced blinding from overly bright headlight beams.

Concerns about headlight dazzle affect 82% of drivers, with one-quarter reducing their night-time driving due to excessively bright lights. Another 22% wish they could cut back on evening journeys but feel they have no alternative.

The RAC commissioned a survey of 1,701 regular UK drivers, which identified headlight brightness as the leading factor contributing to nervousness during nighttime driving.

Denise Voon, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, stated that patients are increasingly reporting difficulties seeing clearly because of headlight glare. She added, “We look forward to the Government’s research findings on headlight glare and hope it results in effective solutions to improve nighttime driving safety.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson acknowledged the widespread frustration caused by headlight glare and confirmed ongoing independent research to better understand its causes. This research will help shape new measures in the upcoming Road Safety Strategy. Additionally, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has intensified efforts to crack down on illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs, with offenders facing fines up to £1,000.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis commented, “The arrival of darker evenings often coincides with the nuisance of overly bright headlights, which make driving more challenging due to dazzle and discomfort. Since headlight glare is the main reason drivers feel nervous at night, it’s clear this issue needs to be addressed. However, it’s important to balance the benefits of brighter headlights, which improve road visibility, against the risks of glare.”