5 days Ago By Luke Chillingsworth
Experts are looking into the driving rules around car headlights with older motorists considered to be at risk of suffering while behind the wheel. The Department for Transport has called upon the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to investigate headlight glare and its effects on road users. The study will use special tools to measure light levels experienced by drivers with the study to run until Spring 2025.
Elderly motorists are understood to be among the most vulnerable due to the dazzling effects of high-beam lights. Simon Williams, spokesperson for the RAC said many road users were struggling to stay on the roads as a result of glare. He said: "It's very important to get to the bottom of this issue because some drivers are finding it extremely difficult to carry on driving,” A recent RAC survey found an overwhelming majority of road users were being affected by car headlight glare.
A study of 2,000 individuals found that a whopping 89% believe at least “some car headlights” were too bright. A further 28% believed that “most headlights” were overly bright suggesting many were being impacted. Among those who have issued complaints about headlights, a staggering 91% said they had been dazzled.
A hefty 74% of respondents claimed they were dazzled regularly in a major blow to road users. The report found that nearly 7% believe headlight glare is so severe they would avoid driving at night. This rises to 14% among drivers aged 65 and over.
Lilian Greenwood, the new Minister for the Future of Roads recently said the independent probe into headlight glare would go ahead. The Conservatives announced they would start an investigation earlier this year but the General Election had thrown this into doubt. Baroness Dianne Hayter stressed some individuals had “stopped driving” as a result of headlight concerns.
She commented: “For anyone who suffers from headlight glare and wonders what is being done about it, this will be a very welcome announcement. “We know some drivers have stopped driving at night, and we know concern about dazzle isn’t only felt by drivers in the UK but further afield as well. “Getting to the bottom of these issues and deciding a way forward is extremely important.
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