The RAC’s latest research raises yet more issues over modern headlights.

As a result, a growing number of UK motorists are avoiding driving at night.

Nearly 25% of drivers have reduced their night travel, with 5% stopping it altogether.

Highlighting headlights

This RAC study, which surveyed nearly 2,000 drivers, highlights headlight glare’s increased prevalence and severity.

Six in 10 (61%) respondents reported worsening the problem over the past year.

More than one-third (36%) believe most vehicle headlights are too bright, and an additional 59% say that some headlights are causing problems.

Nearly three-quarters (75%) of drivers who have cut back on night driving attribute it to discomfort caused by intense headlights, while 49% cite safety concerns.

The issue is particularly pronounced among older drivers, with 65% of those aged 65 to 74 and 67% of those aged 75 and over reporting significant discomfort.

Young and old

For drivers who still brave night travel, 17% say bright headlights leave them feeling fatigued, while 16% report suffering from headaches, migraines, or eye pain.

A staggering 80% of drivers say glare makes it difficult to discern whether oncoming vehicles are indicating, and nearly as many (77%) find it hard to judge the position, speed (74%), or distance (67%) of approaching vehicles.

Contrary to common perceptions, headlight glare is not just an issue for older drivers.

Younger motorists are also affected, with 41% of drivers under the age of 35 saying headlights are too bright.

Due to their lower seating positions, conventional hatchback, estate, and saloon drivers are more likely to be affected than SUV drivers.

It led to 38% of hatchback drivers reporting brightness issues compared to 29% of SUV drivers.

Baroness Dianne Hayter commented, “Virtually every driver experiences the problem of over-bright headlights, and many find the dazzle problematic enough to reduce or stop night driving altogether. This comes with real social and other costs. The Government must act—whether on the colour, intensity, or angle of these glaring lights.”

Blinded

The shift in headlight technology from halogen bulbs to brighter LEDs and bi-xenon lights has been identified as a key contributor to the issue.

Seventy-two per cent of drivers who suffer from glare associate the problem with modern white headlights, compared to just 3% who believe yellow halogen lights are responsible.

However, one in 10 drivers say both headlight types contribute, and 15% are unsure.

Height differences between vehicles also play a role, with drivers of lower-sitting vehicles experiencing more glare from higher-riding SUVs.

Denise Voon, clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, noted that glare issues affect drivers earlier than expected, sometimes before age-related conditions like cataracts typically become a factor.

Looking for solutions

Following sustained campaigning by the RAC, the College of Optometrists, and Baroness Hayter, the UK Government has commissioned a study into the conditions that lead to headlight glare.

Trials began in late 2024, and the Transport Research Foundation’s subsidiary, TRL, is conducting real-world assessments across various road types and scenarios.

Results of the TRL study are expected this summer (2025).

Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed that the research will examine factors such as headlight alignment, ambient lighting, and road conditions to identify potential solutions.

It is expected that the findings will inform future headlight regulations.

In the spotlight

Rod Dennis, senior policy officer at the RAC, expressed hope that the investigation will lead to actionable solutions. “What has gone from a mere frustration is now having a profound impact on people—whether that’s being momentarily blinded while driving or struggling to judge the speed or position of a vehicle. The fact that so many people are driving less at night—or wish they could—demonstrates the need for this issue to be tackled. At the same time, we need to balance safety benefits provided by brighter headlights with the challenges they present to other drivers.”

Dennis added that the findings should help dispel myths, including the belief that glare primarily affects older drivers.

He also noted that other European countries are beginning to take the issue seriously.

“Few motoring topics seem to rouse as much concern among drivers as bright headlights,” Dennis said. “We hope our findings will help the industry and government better understand the effects of dazzling headlights and lead to meaningful solutions.”

The RAC’s research also found glare is more problematic on unlit roads.

Here, the contrast levels are higher, and a driver’s vision is more susceptible to sudden brightness.

Official statistics show an average of 280 collisions per year caused by headlight dazzle,.

These include six fatal crashes annually, adding to the pressure for pressure for action.