Headlight dazzle leaves drivers struggling to see the road ahead
One-in-four drivers affected by glare plan on reducing or even giving up driving when the clocks go back
The very vehicle headlights designed to show drivers the road ahead are leaving many others struggling to spot hazards, signs and road markings, as well as making it harder to judge the position, speed and distance of oncoming vehicles, major new RAC research into headlight glare has found.*
With the clocks going back this weekend, drivers will increasingly experience the dazzling effect of other vehicles’ headlights. As many as 83% of drivers say they are concerned about the impact glare will have on their driving as darkness falls in late afternoon, while three-quarters of those affected by glare (76%) think the problem is getting progressively worse.
Among drivers who get dazzled, half (50%) say overly bright headlights make it harder to spot other road hazards, while a similar proportion (49%) struggle to see road signs and markings. Nearly half (47%) find it difficult to judge the position of oncoming vehicles and four-in-10 (43%) can’t easily judge other vehicles’ speed and distance, while a third (35%) say they get temporarily blinded.
Nearly two-in-three (63%) say they find it difficult to see the flashing amber indicators of some oncoming vehicles because their headlights are so bright. And worryingly, one-in-seven (14%) dazzled drivers say they have narrowly avoided a collision.
But the consequences of headlight glare extend well beyond the road. While discomfort and a feeling of being less safe behind the wheel are drivers’ chief worries, concern about dazzle is causing some people to change their driving behaviour altogether. Of those affected by glare, a fifth (21%) say they plan to drive less once the clocks go back as a direct result of being dazzled while 3% plan to stop driving at night altogether.
For those who have already given up driving at night or are doing so less, the effects are stark. Three-in-10 (28%) say they see friends less as a result and 20% see family less, while a fifth (21%) report feeling much more isolated. Concerningly, 6% have cancelled medical appointments because of the difficulties they face driving in the dark while the same proportion have postponed them.
And glare isn’t just affecting drivers when they’re behind the wheel. More than half (57%) experience dazzle from headlights as pedestrians or wheelchair users, while 20% do so when cycling after dark. And 77% of parents and carers say they are concerned about the safety of their children during the darker months as a direct result of headlights that dazzle.
A year ago, an independent study on headlight glare, commissioned by the UK Government after pressure from the RAC and others, confirmed that some brighter modern headlights are more likely to cause glare to drivers. Further UK research is expected to get underway shortly after a commitment made in January’s Road Safety Strategy, and work continues at an international level where regulations for future vehicles are agreed upon. For its part, the RAC remains active in communicating UK drivers’ concerns and experiences at both a UK and international level.
Unsurprisingly, drivers want action that reduces glare caused by existing vehicles already on the roads, as well as by future models. Three-quarters (73%) surveyed by the RAC think future research should examine both existing and future vehicles, while only 14% think it should look solely at vehicles not yet for sale.
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said:
“The shorter days are here, which means millions of drivers will once again have to contend with the unwelcome effects of headlight dazzle.
“Our latest figures uncover an uncomfortable irony: the very headlights that illuminate the road for drivers and keep them safe could be doing the polar opposite for others by temporarily blinding them. This is leading to people feeling less confident and safe behind the wheel, and in some cases is stopping them driving in the dark altogether. The impact of this on their lives shouldn’t be underestimated.
“While nothing can stop the nights drawing in at this time of year, drivers continue to feel strongly that more can and should be being done to reduce the dazzle they experience.
“We welcomed the Government’s commitment to carry out further research into the problem, but drivers will only be satisfied when they know meaningful changes are coming that will tackle the problems they experience.
“Let’s be clear – good forward lighting plays a vital role in keeping drivers safe and nothing should compromise that. But when this comes at a cost to other road users, including motorists themselves, something must change.
“We don’t feel vehicle lighting regulations sufficiently consider the effects of very bright lights on other road users. We badly need to establish the correct amount of light needed to give drivers the best view of the road ahead without dazzling those in oncoming vehicles.
“Together with our campaign partners, we are working hard for drivers on this issue and will ensure their voices continue to be heard by policymakers.”
Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu, clinical advisor at The College of Optometrists, said:
“Headlight glare is more than just an annoyance for many drivers. Being dazzled by bright headlights can temporarily affect a person’s ability to see clearly, making it harder to spot hazards and judge distances safely. These concerns are leading to many people choosing to only drive during daylight hours, which can impact their independence and ability to maintain their social connections as we head into the winter months.
“If someone is experiencing new or worsening problems with glare, it’s important to speak to an optometrist, who can check your vision and eye health and advise on possible causes. However, this is not simply an issue for individual drivers to manage. We need continued research into the causes of headlight glare and evidence-based solutions that balance effective road illumination without dazzling other road users. Everyone should be able to travel safely and confidently after dark.”
Peer and anti-headlight glare campaigner Baroness Dianne Hayter said:
“The loss of confidence and sense of safety caused by dazzling headlights should be reason enough for action. But when some drivers conclude their only way of coping this winter is to drive less at night, or not at all, policymakers must listen. And, as the RAC’s latest research shows, the problem affects pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists as well. I look forward to hearing what the Government plans to do to protect road users and reduce the glare that far too many of them continue to experience."
Larne Dorman from Worcestershire, who is regularly affected by glare as a driver, said:
“As someone living with a chronic illness, I find headlight glare so difficult that I’m less inclined to drive at night. When the clocks go back, it narrows the window in which I feel able to leave the house.”
What is being done to tackle headlight glare?
The Government commissioned an initial independent report into the problem of headlight glare, following pressure from the RAC and others. Findings were published in late 2025, and as part of its Road Safety Strategy a commitment was made for follow-up research that the RAC will get underway later this year. The Government is also active in the international community on the issue and contributes to a UNECE group tasked with tackling it.
For its part, the RAC continues to work with partners including The College of Optometrists, IAM RoadSmart and other motoring clubs around the world to advocate on behalf of drivers. The group has also produced a series of videos covering different aspects of headlight glare that can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoTN-N8VG_3r0S6Hme1vGIOMgtMe_32Xf
The source of the problem – what drivers say
Drivers consistently report they experience glare far more from white-coloured headlights – most commonly associated with LEDs, which are increasingly common on new vehicles – than yellow-coloured ones, most likely older halogen units.
Drivers are also more likely to say the problem comes more from larger vehicles that sit higher on the road – 52% of those that suffer from glare blame these vehicles, compared to 20% that blame hatchbacks, saloons and estates that sit lower on the road. But a considerable 38% say the problem isn’t confined to a particular type of vehicle.
What do I do if I get dazzled by another vehicle while driving?
The RAC and The College of Optometrists recommend:
- Keep your windscreen clean and smudge-free, inside and out, to reduce the effects of glare.
- If you wear glasses, make sure they are clean and smudge-free and that your prescription is up to date.
- Have regular sight tests so your optometrist can check that you can see as well as possible when driving and that your eyes are healthy.
- When faced with bright oncoming headlights, keep your eyes open and briefly look towards the kerb or side of the road until you can see clearly again.
- Adjust your rear-view mirror at night to reduce glare from vehicles behind. Some cars have self-dimming mirrors that can also help.
- If you are dazzled, slow down safely and, if necessary, stop somewhere safe and legal until your vision improves.
Is there anything I can do to stop dazzling other drivers?
Drivers can reduce the risk of dazzling others by:
- Dipping their headlights when required. Drivers with automatically dimming headlights should know how to dip them manually, as these systems do not always detect approaching cars, cyclists or pedestrians quickly enough.
- Checking that their headlights are correctly aligned for the load being carried. Rear-seat passengers and a heavily loaded boot can cause a vehicle’s headlights to point higher than normal. Drivers should consult their vehicle handbook and adjust the headlight-levelling control where necessary.
- Asking a reputable garage to check the headlight alignment if other drivers regularly flash them at night.
- Keeping headlight lenses clean, as a build-up of dirt and grime can scatter light and contribute to glare.
- Applying the parking brake and taking their foot off the brake pedal when stationary in a queue, once the vehicle behind has stopped, to minimise glare from brake lights.
Notes to Editors
* 1,208 regular UK drivers surveyed for the RAC in October 2026. Responses were rim-weighted to be nationally representative of UK motorists in age, gender, socio-economic groups and all UK regions.
Press team
