Too bright to ignore: More than half of drivers affected by dazzling headlights say the problem is worse this winter than last

More than half of drivers who are dazzled by headlights – 57% – say the problem has worsened over the last 12 months with only three-in-10 (31%) disagreeing, comprehensive new RAC research has found.*

In findings that lay bare the continued impact of headlight glare, 63% of all drivers say they are subjected to dazzle from vehicles behind that they can’t avoid, of which 14% say it happens regularly. A third of those affected by dazzle (33%) feel less safe when driving at night while a quarter (25%) say it knocks their confidence behind the wheel.

A quarter of respondents (25%) who find headlights too bright are either driving less at night or have given up altogether – but interestingly it’s those at either end of the age spectrum that are most affected, with the figure leaping to 33% of under 35s and as many as 43% of those aged 75 and above. And across drivers of all age groups, 16% wished they could drive less at night but have no choice not to.

Of those who are now driving less at night as a result of headlight glare, four-in-five (78%) say it was because they found driving more difficult or uncomfortable. Almost half (45%) of motorists now drive less at night because it makes them feel unsafe behind the wheel.

Driving less or even stopping doing so at night is also having a tangible effect on people’s lives with 36% of this group now having less contact with friends while a quarter (24%) aren’t seeing family members as much. Almost six-in-10 (58%) say their social life has been impacted while 15% find it harder to attend important events like healthcare appointments as they struggle to drive in the dark.

Meanwhile, half of all drivers who get dazzled (51%) struggle to spot hazards or see road markings or signs as a result, while four-in-10 (42%) can’t confidently judge the speed or distance of oncoming vehicles. A quarter (25%) say they’ve been temporarily blinded.

Four-in-10 of those affected (39%) say they have to look away from the road when they’re dazzled – far from ideal from a safety perspective – while a quarter (24%) cover their wing mirrors with their hands while driving to block out the glare from vehicles behind. Around one-in-10 (8%) have talked to their optometrist about the problem.

The RAC asked drivers about how their current vehicle’s headlights differ from their last. Of those that said their latest vehicle had brighter headlights, half (49%) said they felt safer as a result – but interestingly this means the remainder felt no safer or even less safe when driving a vehicle with brighter headlights.

And of the third of respondents (32%) who drive cars with adaptive driving beam systems – which automatically switch headlights to high beam, then back to dipped beam when an oncoming vehicle is detected – a quarter (24%) said they don’t think they dip fast enough, increasing the risk of dazzling other roads users.

It’s not just headlights that drivers are complaining about, with four-in-10 (38%) saying they get dazzled by the brake lights of vehicles in front of them. This is becoming a more common occurrence with the increase in vehicles fitted with ‘auto hold’ brakes that keep a car stationary in traffic, keeping the rear brake lights on in contrast to engaging the handbrake or parking brake, which turns them off. Just 25% of respondents say they always engage the handbrake or parking brake while stopped in traffic, which explains the increased instances of glare.

Drivers unanimously want to see something done, with 87% supportive of the Government’s plan to conduct more research into the issue and the same proportion wanting to see how existing headlight regulations could be amended to improve the situation. Three-quarters (77%) would like a public information campaign to help drivers understand the issue better – something the RAC and its partners have already taken steps to support with a series of informational videos.**

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “Dazzle from headlights is now a perennial problem for drivers and it’s clearer than ever that they want to see something done. For some it’s just a mild annoyance but for others it’s tangibly affecting their lives as drivers – from feeling less safe or confident behind the wheel to avoiding nighttime journeys altogether, even if that means missing appointments or opportunities to spend time with friends and family.

“Drivers consistently tell us the height of vehicles, and the apparent colour of headlights are contributors to glare, so these are two areas we believe the Government should consider in its next stage of research.

“Headlight glare is a complicated area and there’s sadly no simple ‘fix’ that will eradicate it. But for the first time ever there is now a concerted effort – both in the UK and internationally – to tackle it. We’re grateful to every driver who has contacted us, often with great passion, about this issue and we’re proud to be at the forefront of the search for possible remedies.

“We look forward to continuing work with the Government and our campaign partners with the aim of reducing the problem of glare in the years ahead. In the meantime, we urge drivers to do what they can to minimise the likelihood of dazzling others, and to reduce the effects of glare on themselves. Our website and social media channels have advice that can help.”

Denise Voon, clinical advisor at The College of Optometrists, says: “These figures show the widespread impact that headlight glare is having on drivers’ vision and road safety. We encourage drivers of vehicles with adaptive driving beam systems to make sure they know how to dip the headlights manually, as these don’t always pick up oncoming cars, cyclists and pedestrians early enough.

“Drivers can also take steps to minimise the impact of headlight glare by always wearing their prescription glasses if they have them for driving and ensuring they’re up to date, clean and smudge-free. Make sure to go for regular eye tests, around every two years, to ensure you can see as well as possible when driving and your eyes are healthy.

“If you experience issues with your vision as a result of headlight glare, don’t wait for your next regular appointment though – make an appointment with your optometrist for advice.”

Nicholas Lyes, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, said: “It should be a real wake-up call that that headlight glare is now impacting confidence, comfort, and ability to spot hazards. Moreover, the fact that people are reducing their driving at night because they feel unsafe demonstrates it’s also becoming a mobility issue.

“We urgently need better education for drivers, clearer standards for vehicle lighting, and closer collaboration between Government, manufacturers, regulators and road safety organisations to ensure we’re striking the balance between giving drivers the luminance they need while not adversely impacting on those outside of the vehicle.”

Baroness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town said: “The RAC’s latest research shows more than half of night drivers are being dazzled by headlights, and many are stopping driving for good. So, the problem is abundantly clear. Further government research on this is welcome, but we need action, not just studies, to ensure we don’t force more people off our roads.”

The problem of glare as reported by drivers

The RAC website carries a full guide to headlight glare: www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/road-safety/headlight-glare/

ENDS

Notes to Editors

* 1,745 regular UK drivers surveyed for the RAC in January 2026. Responses were rim-weighted to be nationally representative of UK motorists in age, gender, socio-economic groups and all UK regions. 94% of respondents to this survey said they get dazzled by the headlights of oncoming vehicles while driving – 62% occasionally and 32% regularly.

** RAC, and its partners at The College of Optometrists and IAM RoadSmart, has produced a series of videos to help drivers understand the problem and what they can do about it. Available here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoTN-N8VG_3r0S6Hme1vGIOMgtMe_32Xf