Drivers being blinded by headlights, brake lights and traffic
lights
More than a quarter think brake lights are more “style than
substance” on modern cars
Younger drivers just as affected as older drivers
“Many drivers are now overwhelmed with bright lights” says The
AA’s head of roads policy
Three quarters (76%*) of drivers have told The AA they are being
blinded by the headlights of oncoming vehicles, while half (52%)
have been dazzled by headlights from cars behind them.
However, it seems it’s not just headlights that are causing
problems for drivers. A quarter (26%) of drivers say they have
been blinded by brake lights while sat in stationary traffic,
while one in six (17%) say they have been dazzled by brake lights
when moving.
But it’s not just cars on the road causing discomfort, bright
traffic lights are also causing discomfort for drivers. Three in
10 motorists (31%**) say they have been dazzled by traffic
lights.
Drivers struggling with bright lights are often marked as an
‘older driver’ issue, however 70% of 18-24 year olds said they
had been blinded by oncoming headlights. Somewhat surprisingly,
two fifths (40%) of young drivers said they have struggled with
glare from traffic lights, compared to 29% of drivers aged 65 and
over.
LEDs and tighter rules
One cause of discomfort and dazzling from vehicles is the
increased sales in SUV style cars which have headlights
positioned higher than ‘traditional’ saloon cars. Another reason
seen across vehicles and traffic lights is the transition from
halogen bulbs to Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. LEDs last
longer, use less power and are usually smaller than their
counterparts, which enables vehicle manufacturers more
flexibility when it comes to designing cars and vans.
A fact noticed by drivers as more than half (56%) say there
should be tighter rules on LED headlights which focus on their
height, brightness and have automatic levelling to protect other
drivers. More than a third (35%) say headlights should be a
‘warmer’ orange colour rather than the ‘brighter’ white colour
currently used.
Two fifths (39%) say brake lights are brighter now than they used
to be, while 27% say the design of brake lights on cars are ‘more
style over substance’.
However, there is an acceptance that having brighter lights is
better for road safety. A third say bright brake lights improve
road safety, with a similar number saying bright headlights
improve the visibility for drivers (29%).
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “U2 sung
about ‘The City of Blinding Lights’, and for some drivers they
experience this feeling when they get behind the wheel. Being
dazzled by headlights is something most drivers experience, but
it seems that many drivers are now overwhelmed with bright
lights.
“Whether you are sat in a jam or in the flow of traffic, there’s
a strong chance someone near you is in some discomfort with
drivers struggling with bright brake and traffic lights.
“The effects and impact of LEDs across our road network, be it
from vehicles or infrastructure, needs to be investigated by the
Department for Transport and its agencies with recommendations
made to protect road users.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Yonder conducted an online sample of 12,110 AA members aged
18-65+ between 11th and 18th December 2023. Data is weighted to
be representative of the population of the UK. Targets for quotas
and weights are taken from the PAMCO survey, a random probability
survey conducted annually with 35,000 adults. Yonder is a
founding member of the British Polling Council and abides by its
rules.
** Yonder conducted an online sample of 12,432 AA members aged
18-65+ between 12th and 21st February 2024. Data is weighted to
be representative of the population of the UK. Targets for quotas
and weights are taken from the PAMCO survey, a random probability
survey conducted annually with 35,000 adults. Yonder is a
founding member of the British Polling Council and abides by its
rules.
