Motorists are struggling with blinding headlights from oncoming vehicles that leave them dazzled and distracted while driving, with young people particularly impacted.
While being affected by strong brake lights has previously harmed older drivers more, new research has shown younger drivers aged 18 to 24, to be equally dazzled by the bright lights.
Rule 226 of the Highway Code states that drivers must not use any lights in a way that would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
Lights must be switched off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users.
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The Highway Code outlines how drivers should use their lights
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According to the AA, 75 per cent of drivers have been left struggling after being dazzled by strong headlights.
However, the association revealed it’s not just headlights that are causing problems for drivers.
A quarter of drivers said they have been blinded by brake lights while sat in stationary traffic, with one in six feeling dazzled by brake lights when moving.
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.”
Car lights are not the only thing affecting drivers, bright traffic lights are also causing discomfort with three in 10 motorists saying they have been dazzled by traffic lights.
Two-fifths of young drivers expressed their struggle with the glare from traffic lights, compared to 29 per cent of drivers aged 65 and over.
Cousens added: “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.”
More than half (56 per cent) of drivers think there should be tighter rules on LED headlights. Key issues with these lights include their height, brightness and automatic levelling.
A further 35 per cent agree that headlights should be a warm orange colour rather than the bright white colour currently used.
Two-fifths (39 per cent) of drivers thought that brake lights are brighter now than they used to be, while 27 per cent thought the design of brake lights on cars was ‘more style over substance’.
However, there was a general acceptance that having brighter lights is better for road safety and visibility with a third of motorists noting that bright brake lights improve road safety.
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One quarter of drivers said they have been blinded by brake lights while sat in stationary traffic,
PA
A similar number (29 per cent) acknowledged that bright headlights improved the visibility for drivers.