Driving law changes to crack down on bright headlights supported as dazzled Britons ditch LED lamps

There have been growing concerns about the prevalence of bright LED headlights as drivers complain of being dazzled and even "temporarily blinded" when on the road.

With a drop in the amount of searches for LED headlights, drivers could be trying to get their hands on older, halogen bulbs which are less likely to dazzle other motorists.

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There have been claims that drivers are more affected by LED headlights since the beam is more focused on the road ahead and can appear brighter, especially during evenings and nights.

The older halogen bulbs tend to have a more yellow hue, decreasing the likelihood of a driver being dazzled by a bright light.

The buying intentions of motorists are also believed to be contributing to the number of people being dazzled as Britons prefer to invest in larger SUVs.

The Saga Car Insurance data found that SUVs are the second-most searched-for car type, falling just behind electric vehicles.

​Since SUVs sit higher off the road, the beam from the headlight could dazzle drivers in smaller cars, especially as the beam could be in their direct eye line.

Tim Rodie, car-buying expert from Motorpoint, said: "Car buying preferences have undoubtedly changed in recent years, with motorists beginning to favour SUVs over more compact family cars.

"This shift has been so pronounced that Ford has discontinued both the Focus and the Fiesta – something that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago."

Discussions around bright headlights have been more pronounced recently as experts and drivers call on the Government to investigate how LED bulbs can lead to dangerous road conditions for other motorists.

The Department for Transport has commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to look into the factors affecting headlight glare and whether anything can be done to lessen the impact of drivers being dazzled.

In the latest update, Future Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood reiterated to Parliament that a study was already underway and is "due to deliver in summer 2025".

She continued: "All types of road vehicle headlamps are designed, tested, and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare and ensure safety on a broad range of roads and environments.

"However, noting increased public concern about headlamp glare, Government has commissioned independent research to better understand the root causes and develop potential countermeasures."

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The DfT has highlighted how the issue has been heard by the United Nations international expert group on vehicle lighting, with further provisions set to launch in September 2027.

A spokesperson for the DfT added that independent research would help to understand the root causes of driver glare and identify "appropriate mitigations".