Review the brightness of car headlights for safety

[Garlickit]

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/653793

Inspired by AIBU thread, "To think night driving is getting more dangerous"

The Government should launch a review into the problem of some headlights causing oncoming traffic drivers to be unable to see clearly and safely. The review should be conducted with car manufacturers to find solutions.

The RAC raised this issue as far back as 2018 and its recent study showed that nine-in-10 drivers think some or most car headlights on the UK’s roads are too bright. Government data shows that there are around 300 collisions every year where dazzling headlights are a factor.

The RAC has often written about this: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/rac-calls-for-government-action-on-headlight-glare/

Come on!

So close.

Commenting to keep this in active. Or at least try. It's so close! Please sign this

I'm surprised too. It's a very obvious problem for most people I know. Maybe it's the number of people living in cities, it would not affect them the same as those who drive country roads.

That's a good point. On well-lit roads, bright headlights glaring straight into your eyes are still dangerous but won't create the sudden black contrast that can be so lethal.

I drive mainly in a mix of urban areas and some bypasses, and country lanes.

I suffer just as much on a dual carriageway as on a country lane.

I noticed yesterday that these same cars have very dazzling rear brake lights.

And new Minis - the most city of city cars- are amongst the worst offenders.

Signed. Only 170 more signatures needed to get the Government to respond!

And there better be a good response rather than these lights meet standards!

Bump

Just over 150 to go!

Minis are more maxi than my little 20 year old Polo and are at the perfect height to dazzle me even with my rear view mirror dipped. Most cars are wider so they get me in the non dippable wing mirrors. Dangerous in all seasons.

Actually I hadn’t thought log that about cars being wider do the side mirrors are dazzled.

Yes, most cars are fatter and wider and drive hell into me when I'm stuck behind one of them for a gap I could easily drive through.... Also the EV vehicles are heavier and need to pay some sort of road tax to repair the damage they do along with all the SUV things that are unneccessary in town/city environments.
On top of the blinding issues.

Oh totally agree that EV and suv should pay more road tax.

Yes, Ive noticed that brake lights are now incredibly bright too, almost blinding me when they come on.

9883 signatures now…

Done. It’s getting very close to 10 000 now…

I have a modern car with those piercingly bright blue / white LEDs, and I was constantly getting flashed at the beginning.

I have a new BMW and on those you can actually turn down the brightness of your front LEDs. I didn't know this until I checked how bright they were and spoke to the sales guy and he showed me how to turn them down.

They're still bright, but I haven't been flashed at since. LEDs are much better for driving in the dark but not at the expense of other drivers.

Just in case anyone has a BMW, you may want to look at turning town the brightness!

Signed, btw.

Thanks for turning yours down. It probably helps a tiny bit

Ah brilliant that it’s possible and you did!

Yes, it's bad and getting worse. Signed.

Also, what's with the fashion of driving with your fog lights on? Do you think it makes your car look cool? Or have you forgotten you turned them on for that bit of mist you had 2 and a half years ago?

Just turn them off FFS!

9,923 signatures

So nearly there! Optimistic bump!

Aargh!! So near!!

i wish drivers wouldn’t drive so close with these lights. They must know they’re bright!

Bump.

Sign this if you are fed up of being blinded at night!

This from the AA newsletter:

The effects and impact of LEDs across our road network, be it from vehicles or infrastructure, needs to be investigated by the Department for Transport and its agencies with recommendations made to protect road users.”