Drivers call for new law changes as millions admit to being 'temporarily blinded' by bright headlights

Almost nine in 10 motorists have put their support behind the Government's call for a safety assessment into how bright LED lights are affecting other drivers on the road.

A further four in 10 believe that LED headlights should be banned entirely for their impact on other drivers during dark and foggy times.

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Many have pointed to bright LED headlights as being more powerful than they should be with a brighter hue and a more intense and focused beam.

In comparison, older halogen bulbs create a yellow light, which is believed to be less intense on the eyes of other drivers.

Dazzling headlights are deemed to be the main reason for an average of 216 incidents per year, although the exact number could be a lot higher since it's difficult to determine what the defining factor was for an accident.

People with older vehicles who are replacing their halogen bulbs with LED upgrades may have further issues with poor beam alignment and intense glare.

Ian Wilson, car insurance expert at Tiger.co.uk, said that while LED lights do improve the view of the road, they have led to a rise in cases of drivers being dazzled.

He added: "It's clear from our survey that drivers are frustrated and concerned about the risks posed by overly bright headlights, with most drivers supporting the Ministers' initiative to assess the usage of LED lights on the road.

"Being dazzled by headlights is extremely dangerous as diverting focus from the road for even a few seconds can lead to missed hazards, delayed reactions and serious accidents.

"Those moments of blindness can make all the difference in avoiding a collision or keeping other road users safe."

The Department for Transport is currently working with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to understand more about the causes of glare and measure the conditions most likely to give rise to high brightness levels.

The strategic review was first launched in October last year and is expected to run until the spring of this year. Many industry experts are hoping that the information uncovered from the investigation will help support future law changes.

Drivers have also pointed to Britons choosing to get behind the wheel of larger SUV vehicles which sit much higher off the ground than standard vehicles.

With the higher chassis, the headlights could be more likely to shine at a higher angle, potentially into the direct vision of an oncoming driver.

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Wilson continued, saying: "The assessment of LED headlights is a step in the right direction, but drivers can help in the meantime by being considerate and ensuring their headlights are properly aligned and used responsibly.

"It's crucial to remember to dip your headlights as soon as you see an oncoming vehicle and adjust headlights when carrying heavy loads as the rear of the vehicle may sink, tilting your headlights upward and creating excessive glare."