After receiving input from the RAC, the Transport Research Foundation’s subsidiary, the TRL, has started investigating headlight glare.

In order to evaluate the conditions that drivers complain about, such as glare from oncoming vehicles’ headlights, especially at night, the TRL has begun conducting practical trials.

In order to better understand the elements that contribute to headlight glare, TRL has stated that they would be collaborating with the Department for Transport (DfT).

Results of the research will be used to address the problem.

In order to assess the amount of light that drivers encounter on UK roads, TRL will outfit a vehicle with instrumentation between October 2024 and Spring 2025.

In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the conditions that result in excessive brightness levels and glare, the research will also evaluate variables including nearby cars, the weather, and ambient lighting.

In order to guarantee that the project offers a thorough grasp of the subject and, in the end, produces practical suggestions for the DfT to present in international working groups tackling this issue, a review of scientific literature and discussions with different stakeholders will also be carried out.

According to a RAC survey of 2,000 drivers, 89% of respondents think that at least some of the headlights on cars today are too bright, and 28%, the largest percentage to date, think that the majority are.

91% of drivers who voice worries about headlamp brightness say they have experienced glare, and 74% say they do it frequently.

Two-thirds (67%) of those impacted by glare say they must reduce their speed considerably until their vision improves, and a comparable percentage (64%) think that some headlights are so bright that they could cause accidents.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis: “We’re pleased to be contributing to this important piece of work that we very much hope will get to the bottom of the glare issue experienced by so many drivers up and down the country.

“Our own long-term research shows that a significant proportion of the driving population struggle with dazzle, with some people reducing how much they drive, or even giving up driving at night altogether.

“Understanding what’s causing these problems, and most importantly what can be done about them in the future, will be a huge step forward for drivers.”