85% say they have been temporarily blinded by LED headlights

Car insurance comparison experts are supporting Ministers’ calls for an assessment of LED headlights.

This comes after a recent survey revealed 85% of drivers have been temporarily blinded or dazzled by oncoming headlights from other vehicles.

The survey, collated by car insurance comparison site Tiger.co.uk, also revealed drivers feel strongly about this issue, with nine in ten (89%) supporting the government’s call for a safety assessment and nearly half (41%) believing LED lights should be banned entirely.

Dazzling headlights contribute to an average of 216 incidents per year but the exact number may be much higher as it’s difficult to determine whether the collision was directly caused by oncoming headlights from another vehicle.

Many cars are now fitted with bright LED headlights and while this can significantly improve the view of the road ahead, the lights can dazzle other drivers, posing serious risks to all road users.

Not only have advancements in technology made lights brighter, but often modern cars are also higher, which exacerbates the problem by producing a more direct and intense glare.

There are also a number of car owners who are replacing their old halogen headlights with LED upgrades, which can cause poor beam alignment and intense glare as halogen light housings are not designed for LED bulbs.

Excessively bright headlights cause temporary blindness which can last a few seconds, affecting drivers’ vision after the car has gone past.

On the road, these few seconds of blindness can be crucial as drivers may fail to notice obstacles, sudden hazards or other road users.

This has led to a number of drivers feeling unsafe when driving at night, with some even giving up driving at night altogether.

These findings highlight the urgent need for stricter regulations to address the safety concerns associated with LED headlights.

In response, Ministers have announced plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment of LED headlight usage on UK roads as part of broader efforts to improve road safety.

Until stricter regulations are introduced, the car insurance comparison experts have highlighted steps drivers can take to minimise the risks associated with dazzling headlights and ensure they are mindful of other road users.

They say it’s important to only use high beams in low-traffic areas with no oncoming vehicles, adjust headlights when carrying heavy loads and upgrade lights responsibly, ensuring the new bulbs are compatible with the existing headlight housing.

Managing Director and car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk, Ian Wilson, said: “While brighter LED headlights improve the view of the road ahead, they’ve also caused an increase of drivers reporting being dazzled by oncoming headlights.

“It’s clear from our survey that drivers are frustrated and concerned about the risks posed by overly bright headlights, with most drivers supporting the Ministers’ initiative to assess the usage of LED lights on the road.

“Being dazzled by headlights is extremely dangerous as diverting focus from the road for even a few seconds can lead to missed hazards, delayed reactions and serious accidents. Those moments of blindness can make all the difference in avoiding a collision or keeping other road users safe.

“The assessment of LED headlights is a step in the right direction, but drivers can help in the meantime by being considerate and ensuring their headlights are properly aligned and used responsibly.

“It’s crucial to remember to dip your headlights as soon as you see an oncoming vehicle and adjust headlights when carrying heavy loads as the rear of the vehicle may sink, tilting your headlights upward and creating excessive glare.

“When upgrading headlights, it’s important to fit them properly and ensure the new bulbs are compatible with the existing headlight housing.”