Anti-glare headlight work to continue under new Government

The previous Conservative administration had said it would investigate the issue and now Lilian Greenwood, future of roads minister, confirmed the new government is in the process of commissioning independent research, in her response to a parliamentary question.

The research will help better understand the root causes of headlamp glare and identify potential countermeasures.

The RAC’s annual survey of headlight glare this year found nine in 10 (89%) of the 2,000 drivers polled think at least some headlights on vehicles on the road today are too bright, of which three in 10 (28%) – a higher proportion than ever – think most are.

A petition organised earlier this year urged the Government to carry out a review and was signed by more than 14,000 drivers.

This follows campaigning on the issue by the RAC, the College of Optometrists, Baroness Dianne Hayter – head of the LightAware group – and others, who met with the Department for Transport at its offices in Whitehall in January.

RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said:

We are delighted to see a commitment from the new Government that independent research into the issue of dazzling headlights is being commissioned, especially with darker evenings now on the way. We hope it leads to a better understanding of what is a complex problem, but one that is undoubtedly affecting drivers up and down the country – in fact, more drivers have contacted us with their concerns about this topic than any other in recent times.

We’ve worked hard over a number of years to raise this topic on drivers’ behalf and now look forward to supporting the Department for Transport in this piece of work.

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