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/

So close. Bumpppppp

I don’t have social media or twitter. Otherwise I’d share. It’s so close! 9977

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

It's hit 10k. Well done OP

Well done op!

Oh, that's GREAT news!!! Congrats, everybody! And @Rummikub for the frequent bumps.

That’s great!

Excellent news - hopefully they will have a meaningful discussion about it

Took a look at the petition earlier and it was dead on 10k. Yay!

And yours!

Lets hope they do a proper response rather than just a fob off or holding position.

It’s a big jump from 10000 to 100000!!

There are 4 months left til the petiton closes though. 100,000 will be a breeze :D

Signed. Coming home yesterday I was blinded by a SUV flashing it's lights to thank me for waiting. I had to wait for a few minutes for my eyes to recover. It's dangerous.

I hope so!

Eagerly awaiting the govt response! Wonder how long it takes.

If I let someone go at night, I always look away as I hate being blinded 'thanked'. Most people think it's a good thing to do. I would just assume they wave thanks as I do instead (even though they can't see that at night).

Resurrecting some year old threads with complaining about the lights posters on them. Not sure if anyone is signing but others have been posting on them since. Just hope it's not us who've already signed lol

Good idea!

Signed

Great idea!

Response from the government now that the petition reached 10,000
I feel like it's slightly dismissive: We've looked at this and already told the car makers to do something about it. But at least there's a recognition that further research is needed - hopefully that is done soon

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Review the brightness of car headlights for safety”.

Government responded:

The Government has taken action internationally to address concerns raised about headlamp glare. Recognising the need for further evidence, we intend to commission independent research shortly.

All vehicle headlamps are designed and tested to follow international standards to ensure that they are both bright enough to illuminate the road but don’t affect the vision of other road users. The standards define the beam pattern and include maximum and minimum light intensities. 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.

Because of that lack of evidence, the Department for Transport (DfT) raised the issue at the United Nations international expert group on vehicle lighting. 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 based on the loading of the vehicle e.g. when passengers are sat on the back seat or there is luggage in the boot.

The transitional provisions permit sufficient time for vehicle manufacturers to redesign their products and adapt the manufacturing process, with the tighter tolerances expected to come into effect in September 2027.

Once implemented, these tougher requirements will help alleviate the number of cases where road users are dazzled. In addition, the DfT also plans to commission independent research to better understand the root causes of driver glare and identify any further appropriate mitigations.

Department for Transport

Click this link to view the response online:

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/653793?reveal_response=yes

The Petitions Committee will take a look at this petition and its response. They can press the government for action and gather evidence. If this petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Committee will consider it for a debate.

The Committee is made up of 11 MPs, from political parties in government and in opposition. It is entirely independent of the Government. Find out more about the Committee: petition.parliament.uk/help#petitions-committee

Thanks,
The Petitions team
UK Government and Parliament

Thanks for posting that.

I hoped it wouldn’t be dismissive but feels like it is.

. 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 based on the loading of the vehicle e.g. when passengers are sat on the back seat or there is luggage in the boot.ects the aim of the headlamps based on the loading of the vehicle e.g. when passengers are sat on the back seat or there is luggage in the boot.

This doesn’t take into account height differences of cars.

You're right it doesn't and I think this is one of the biggest issues that needs to be addressed. When it's the occasional lorry that's taller/brighter it doesn't seem as bad as every other car coming the other way.

Massive vehicles in my way also stop me being able to see around them properly and see why exactly they are in the overtaking lane, overtaking nothing at all. Or idiots in front of me that can't drive well and brake every other minute as they can't seem to control their speed at all.

Interesting that the highway code says you should put your handbrake on when stopped in traffic so as not to blind those behind your brake lights. Often you don't need to keep any brake on as you're on a flat road.

Unsurprised that the downing street mob don't care, they probably have drivers that get blinded for them. 2027 is another 3 years to kick cans down (dazzling) roads.

Yes I was thinking that they’d have drivers so don’t care.

What’s the significance of 2027?

Weaselly response.

And as for this - 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 based on the loading of the vehicle e.g. when passengers are sat on the back seat or there is luggage in the boot. - what about cars of different heights? Cars on slopes and hills? Cars going over speedbumps, which change the angle of the car? What about pedestrians walking along the pavement, who can also be affected. It's trying to impose a complicated technical solution where a simpler one would do - reduce the brightness.

Exactly!

They think we are dumb.

Thought they'd mentioned a review in 2027 or something in their pathetic response. At 100,000 signatures they have to debate it in parliament.