Adjustments to Headlight Regulations and Crackdown on Unlawful Bulb Sales Considered
As the evenings draw in and the clocks are set back, the intense light from approaching vehicles is prompting the UK government to look into revising headlight standards and intensifying enforcement against the illegal sale of excessively strong bulbs.
A survey released by the RAC motoring services company on Tuesday reveals that over 25% of motorists feel anxious about driving at night due to the intensity of modern headlights.
The issue of headlight glare is anticipated to be addressed in a forthcoming road safety strategy by the government, expected before year’s end. It is believed that this will lead to proposed changes to international vehicle lighting standards currently maintained by the United Nations.
Over 18 months ago, the government initiated independent studies to investigate the root causes of headlight glare, with results anticipated to be published alongside the new strategy.
The upcoming road safety strategy is likely to include commitments to further research across various car brands and models in order to pinpoint specific design elements that contribute to increased glare.
Contributing factors may be the widespread adoption of brighter LED (light-emitting diode) headlights and the surge in SUV ownership, which typically have higher-set headlights that can shine directly into the eyes of drivers in lower vehicles.
Elderly drivers are especially susceptible to being dazzled by these brighter lights, as their eyes require more time to recover from the glare.
LED lights are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional halogen lights and are credited with making one of the largest reductions in the UK’s carbon emissions from any single technology.
For automobiles, this translates to a decrease in the energy required to power headlights, thus saving on both fuel costs and emissions. LEDs produce eight times as much light per unit of power as halogens, according to the College of Optometrists.
However, retrofitting LED lights onto older vehicles can lead to issues since these vehicles were not designed to accommodate such intense illumination, potentially increasing glare for oncoming traffic.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, responsible for conducting MOT roadworthiness tests, has increased inspections of headlights. Vehicles equipped with inappropriate bulbs will fail the MOT test, and vendors selling illegal bulbs could be fined up to £1,000.
A spokesperson from the Department for Transport commented, “We understand that headlight glare can be a source of frustration for many drivers, especially now that the nights are longer. That’s why we initiated independent research to delve deeper into the causes and effects of glare, which will guide new initiatives in the upcoming road safety strategy.
“In addition, the DVSA has enhanced its efforts to curb the sale of illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs for road use, with offenders facing possible fines of up to £1,000.”
Rod Dennis, a senior policy officer at the RAC, noted, “Many drivers dread the yearly return of darker evenings, which often brings the challenge of dealing with excessively bright headlights that can make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort.
“Although many of us must get used to more night-time driving as the clocks change, the prevalent discomfort caused by headlight glare highlights the need for addressing this issue. However, it’s crucial to remember that brighter headlights can enhance visibility of the road, so a balance must be found.”
The College of Optometrists advises drivers to reduce glare by keeping windscreens and glasses clean and adjusting interior mirrors to minimize reflection from vehicles behind. They suggest, “When faced with bright oncoming headlights, keep your eyes open and briefly shift your gaze to the curb or side of the road until your vision clears.” Ideally, dazzled drivers should slow down and, if it is safe, stop until their vision has adjusted.
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