Concerns from motorists about increasingly bright vehicle headlights have prompted the government to re-examine car lighting regulations. Drivers say the glare from modern LED headlamps is making night-time journeys more difficult and, in some cases, unsafe. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that it will include new measures in its upcoming Road Safety Strategy to address the issue.

Many road users report that LED lights, which produce a sharper and whiter beam than older halogen bulbs, are causing temporary blindness when driving at night. Older drivers, whose eyes take longer to recover from glare, say the brightness can make them avoid night travel altogether. Surveys from the RAC show that three-quarters of motorists find night driving harder due to dazzling lights, while a third admit feeling anxious behind the wheel.

Experts suggest that poor headlight alignment, vehicle height, and illegal LED conversions are worsening the problem. The DfT has already instructed the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to crack down on non-compliant retrofitted bulbs and is commissioning new research into the role of vehicle design in causing glare.

Manufacturers argue that LED headlights improve visibility for drivers, but road safety advocates warn a balance must be struck to ensure they don’t blind others. The forthcoming review aims to modernise outdated regulations and make driving at night safer for everyone.