Auto advice: Why are car headlights getting brighter and how can I avoid being dazzled?

Are headlights on cars getting brighter?

If you are struggling to see at night through a haze of car headlights then you are not alone. Over the past decade, LED headlights have become the default choice for many car makers in place of the old halogen bulbs. These headlights emit much brighter light, which allows the driver to see more in the dark, but it can be dazzling for oncoming traffic. The human eye reacts to the so-called “blue light” from LEDs differently to the “yellow light” of conventional halogen headlights and these can be a source of glare.

The increasing popularity of SUVs and cars that sit higher off the ground than hatchbacks and saloons mean that the headlights on these cars are located higher up so the level and angle of the light is more likely to be an issue for oncoming traffic.

There is also however the issue of alignment or misalignment. A very common reason why cars fail the NCT test is due to incorrect headlight aim. Headlights should be aligned correctly. If they are set too high, headlights will dazzle oncoming drivers and if set too low, these will be redundant.

What are the advantages of LED?

Apart from the point that LED headlights give better light they are also more energy efficient than halogen bulbs and have a longer lifespan. They also afford more flexibility in terms of design allowing car designers to embrace their creativity and reinvent the headlight.

Are brighter headlights causing problems on our roads?

Between 2013 and 2022 bright or dazzling headlights were a contributory factor to around six fatal collisions a year and 280 collisions, according to research by the RAC in the UK.

While glaring lights can be a problem for any driver, these are particularly problematic for older drivers, many of whom have some kind of eye condition. The RAC also found that a quarter of drivers over 65 avoid driving at night, because of the intensity of headlights.

There is no research on the issue in Ireland, but it’s hard to see how Irish drivers are not experiencing similar issues.

Top tip: Use the night-driving setting on the mirror to protect yourself from headlight glare. Ensure your windscreen is clean, inside and out. Consider purchasing special night-driving glasses from your optician.

Got a question? email sundaymotors@independent.ie