A new government-commissioned project to understand factors involved in headlight glare and how to address them is now underway.

The DfT project will run until spring 2025, using a car equipped by TRL to measure glare in real-life conditions

TRL is working with the Department for Transport to investigate the root causes of headlamp glare and identify potential countermeasures.

The project will investigate the conditions most likely to give rise to high brightness levels and glare.

Almost nine in 10 drivers think at least some headlights on cars on the road today are too bright, of which 64% believe some headlights are so bright they risk causing accidents. And nearly one in 10 (7%) say they find headlight glare so bad that they avoid driving at night altogether, a figure that rises to 14% for drivers aged 65 and over.

A petition run earlier this year urged the Government to carry out a review of the brightness of car headlights and was signed by more than 14,000 drivers.

The project follows work to raise awareness of the problem by RAC, the College of Optometrists, Baroness Dianne Hayter – head of the LightAware group – and others, who met with the Department for Transport at its offices in Whitehall in January.

Speaking last month, Baroness Hayter said: “We know some drivers have stopped driving at night, and we know concern about dazzle isn’t only felt by drivers in the UK but further afield as well. Getting to the bottom of these issues and deciding a way forward is extremely important.”

The DfT project will run until spring 2025, using a car equipped by TRL to measure light levels experienced by drivers during real driving on UK roads.

Factors such as the vehicles around the instrumented car, weather conditions and ambient lighting will also be measured, building a complete understanding of the conditions that are most likely to give rise to high brightness levels and glare.

A review of scientific evidence and engagement with a range of stakeholders will also be undertaken to make sure that the project builds a comprehensive understanding of the topic, and generates actionable recommendations for the Department for Transport to take forward in international working groups related to this issue.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis: “We’re pleased to be contributing to this important piece of work that we very much hope will get to the bottom of the glare issue experienced by so many drivers up and down the country.

“Our own long-term research shows that a significant proportion of the driving population struggle with dazzle, with some people reducing how much they drive, or even giving up driving at night altogether. Understanding what’s causing these problems, and most importantly what can be done about them in the future, will be a huge step forward for drivers.”