The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced plans to investigate headlight dazzle, recognising the need for “further evidence” on the matter. This decision follows a petition with over 10,000 signatures urging MPs to review laws on car headlight brightness.
In response, the DfT announced the investigation, stating: “We know that lots of people raise concerns about headlight glare – but also that the police collision statistics don’t show any underlying road safety issue.”
Due to the “lack of evidence”, the DfT will commission an independent report to explore the issue and propose “any further appropriate mitigations”.
The DfT added, “Proposals to amend headlamp aiming rules were agreed in April 2023, together with requirements for mandatory automatic headlamp levelling, which automatically corrects the aim of the headlamps,”
These changes are expected to be enforced by September 2027, aiming to “help alleviate the number of cases where road users are dazzled”.
This announcement comes after the RAC urged the DfT to address dazzle “urgently”. A survey of around 2,000 people, conducted by the RAC revealed that 28% of motorists consider most headlights too bright. Among those who complained about brightness, 74% reported being regularly dazzled while driving, with 85% believing the problem is worsening.
Rod Dennis, RAC's safety spokesperson, commented that the DfT’s acknowledgement of the issue as “a real turning point”.
“The topic has undoubtedly struck a chord with motorists up and down the country, with many people contacting us directly to call for something to be done,” he added.
