Urgent warning over dazzling headlights – as expert reveals how to avoid blinding others
AN URGENT warning has been issued over blinding headlights – as drivers are urged to take care.
Drivers should make sure their headlights are adjusted properly to avoid dazzling other motorists, the RAC warned.
Blue-tint LED bulbs and the increasing ownership of SUVs have been blamed for a surge in dazzling headlights.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Drivers are more concerned than ever about headlight glare, with a huge proportion wanting to see something done about it.
“We urgently need the Government to take a closer look at the issue, ideally by commissioning an independent study to understand what’s causing an increase in reports of dazzling and, most importantly, what can do be done to keep drivers safe.”
Here’s seven ways drivers can reduce the risk of being dazzled:
SLOW DOWN
If the glare is proving to be too problematic, drivers should ease up on the accelerator to reduce the likelihood of a crash.
Though, drivers shouldn’t slow down too abruptly to avoid a collision from behind, the RAC expert added.
CLEAN WINDSCREEN
Keep the windscreen clean and clear, as it is prone to fogging up on the inside, especially in cold weather.
The RAC noted car heaters can blow unclean air at the glass, leading to the accumulation of a hazy film on the interior.
All of this can lead to an increased glare from oncoming headlights.
DON’T LOOK DIRECTLY
The RAC also advises drivers not to stare directly into oncoming headlights to avoid being dazzled.
Instead, they recommend focusing on the left-hand side of the road and tracking the white line marking the edge if available.
ADJUST MIRRORS
They say that if you’re being dazzled from behind you should be continually adjusting your rear-view mirror.
Lots of new motors have an auto-dimming rear-view mirror function, but if your car doesn’t have this you should make sure you dip it manually.
USE LOW BEAMS
It has been recommended motorists should take care to use low-beam headlights themselves, as you should also be doing your part to reduce the number of people who are dazzled.
ALIGN HEADLIGHTS
You should also make sure that your headlights are aligned, so that their position is not too high.
This could greatly reduce your own visibility whilst it also has the potential to blind other drivers.
ANTI-GLARE GLASSES
Some people might want to consider anti-glare glasses, which are simply glasses with a yellow tint.
But they may also prove risky as they make dark parts of the road less visible.
The director of research at the College of Optometrists, Mike Bowen, said older drivers are more susceptible to being dazzled.
He said: “The results from this research by the RAC are helpful to inform our understanding of how changes in vehicle headlight technologies may be affecting both the functional vision of young and older drivers, and their visual comfort, when driving at night,
“Older drivers are likely to be disproportionately affected by headlight glare, so may be more likely to experience difficulties or to decide not to drive at night at all.
“We urge the Government to commission more technical and clinical research to have a better understanding of this issue and what should be done to ease the effects of dazzling headlights.”
While the legal operations director at National Accident Helpline, John Kushnick, said that intensely bright headlights can present “significant road safety risks for drivers, affecting their visibility and potentially leading to accidents.”
He strongly urged drivers to report vehicles with blinding lights to the police.
He said: “It’s crucial for drivers to remain vigilant on the roads and stay aware of the potential hazards caused by dazzling headlights and take proactive measures to mitigate the risks.
“It’s important for drivers to remember to play it safe if you cannot see due to the bright headlights; slow down, avoid all challenging manoeuvres, and do not pull out of a side road.”
This comes just after an urgent warning was issued over a “blinding” new type of headlights dubbed “potential killers”.
Dr John Lincoln of LightAware, the report’s lead author, explained many modern headlights are dangerous and “incompatible” with our eyesight.
“They are too bright, too blue and are blinding over too long a distance,” he said.
“Regulation is required to cut the risk of accidents and reduce driver fatigue.”