Experts have warned Britons of the key reason why millions of motorists continue to be dazzled by bright LED headlights on roads, which has prompted some to drive less every day.
It comes as new data from the RAC found that a quarter of motorists find vehicle headlights are too bright, forcing them to drive less at night as a result.
Three-quarters of motorists added that they were driving less because intense headlights make the experience uncomfortable, with a further 49 per cent saying they feel less safe.
Drivers have consistently called on the Government to introduce changes to ensure something is done about bright headlights which continue to dazzle and even temporarily blind drivers.
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The expert highlighted how bulb alignment is one of the most common issues with MOT failures
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The Department for Transport has commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to study the impact of headlight glare on motorists, as well as what can be done to mitigate the issue.
It is expected that this study will conclude in the spring, with hopes the outcome of the research could inform future policy expected in the summer.
Ring, a leading bulb manufacturer, has been working with the Government for more than a year to find out the main causes behind headlight glare, which many believe is down to LED bulbs.
Henry Bisson, marketing director of Ring, said one of the key issues with drivers being dazzled by bright headlights was because of misalignment.
If a bulb has not been fitted correctly, it may not be placed in the headlight unit correctly, meaning the light is not properly focused on the road, but may be directed at the driver.
In 2016, changes were made to the MOT test to ensure that mechanics emphasise the importance of correct alignment, stressing that it shouldn't be "just a quick check".
A headlamp will fail its check during an MOT test if its horizontal cut-off is above the upper limit of 0.5 per cent or below the lower limit of 2.75 per cent.
The DVSA stated that the headlamp aim consistently tops the MOT compliance survey as one of the most likely to be assessed incorrectly, highlighting the need for testers to reduce errors and increase consistency.
Bisson continued, saying: "Retrofitting bulbs is an unregulated market, so anyone can replace their regular bulbs with cheap HID kits or LED bulbs bought online and that are not designed to conform to legal regulations.
"Whilst some comply with the law, others are illegal and may be throwing out too much light in a less controlled way.
"The final, and most worrying reason, is poor quality bulbs, of which there are many, as brands cut costs by producing cheap and unregulated bulbs with no research, testing or quality control."
Bisson noted confusion surrounding LED headlights, which many blame for being brighter than traditional halogen bulbs and having a more intense beam.
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The Future of Roads Minister clarified that work was being done to investigate dazzling headlights GETTYThe expert clarified that LED bulbs are currently not road legal and should not be replaced with LED light units that are a non-replaceable component.
He added: "Many new vehicles that use these LED light units have been homologated with the headlamp units. These LEDs are road legal. LED bulbs though, remain not road legal.
"They have not been designed to work with the headlamp units for halogen bulbs and so cause glare."
