In recent years, there has been a dramatic rise in bright LED headlight glare from cars. These types of lights have great energy efficiency, and last much longer than conventional halogen bulbs. However, despite these advantages, they are also causing problems for both drivers and pedestrians. The intensity of some LED headlights has led to complaints about glare, and the problems this creates for visibility when driving at night.
Some have even called them dangerous and are campaigning to get them banned from the road. There have been a number of online petitions started to that effect.
LED Headlight Glare
LED headlights can certainly improve vision for a driver behind the wheel. But not necessarily if someone is coming the other way, also sporting LEDs. The glare they create, and particularly when driving at night and in bad weather conditions, can actually make it difficult to see anything else around the oncoming vehicle. A driver or pedestrian who is in the path of these bright beams, may suffer temporary blindness. This can significantly increase the risk of people not being able to react in time to dangers ahead.
There are a lot of SUV type cars on our roads now which are higher from the ground. This means that their headlights are also higher, and this can contribute to the level of glare.
Headlight Adjustment
Another problem that causes headlight glare, is poorly adjusted headlights. If the aim of the beams is not as it should be, this can certainly caused dazzle to other drivers. This can sometimes be something as simple as driving a heavily loaded car without making any adjustment for the headlight aim. In most cars, this can easily be raised or lowered at the flick of a switch; but how many of us actually bother to do this?
Light Pollution
The intensity of LED headlight glare, also adds to the inner city problem of ‘light pollution’. There is so much light bouncing around already, with bright street lights, shop window displays etc. With the addition of high intensity headlights reflected off the shiny surface of other cars and surrounding street furniture, this can create a very uncomfortable driving environment.
Pedestrians Crossing
One of the main concerns of campaigners, is the effect of LED headlight glare on pedestrians. In areas where there are no controlled crossings, it can be particularly hazardous at night for people to cross the road in safety. Due to the dazzle, they may not be able to see clearly or judge safe gaps. The bright glare may also mean that drivers cannot see them.
Driver Fatigue
When driving in a bright environment for any length of time, eye-strain and general fatigue is much more likely to become an issue for motorists. The problem of trying to see past the glare makes it difficult to concentrate fully for any length of time. That lack of concentration can lead to poor judgement and a higher probability of incident or ‘accidents.’
What Does the Law Say?
There has been discussion in parliament recently, around the problem of LED headlight glare and how to deal with it. There seems to be lot of confusion over what is legal and what is not. The law basically states, that your headlights must be able to light up the road for around 100 metres ahead, without dazzling other drivers. Not very specific then.
There are rules relating to the power output of the bulbs in lumens (level of brightness) or Kelvins (colour temperature). The legislation on this is not very clear however. What the law does say, is that if you replace a bulb, the new bulb must be of exactly the same type as that originally fitted by the manufacturer. For instance, it would be illegal to replace halogen headlight bulbs with LEDs, or to replace an existing LED, with an even brighter one.
Conclusion
So, we wait to see what the outcome of parliamentary talks and petitions will bring. In the meantime we all need to give a little more thought to the way that we prepare our vehicles for the road. Take a little time to check the headlight aim. Make sure your lights are working, and that you have the correct bulbs fitted.
And also, if you do find that you suffer from LED headlight glare and dazzle when driving, slow down! Pull over if necessary, and give yourself time to recover before continuing at normal speeds.