High beams, high risk: why night driving feels worse than ever
Car changing is a big deal
Drivers say headlight glare is getting worse, making night driving harder than ever. In response, the government is taking action through its national Road Safety Strategy.
If you’ve found yourself squinting into oncoming headlights or feeling uneasy driving after dark, you’re not alone. New research from road assistance service the RAC shows more than half of drivers who are dazzled by headlights (57%) believe the problem has worsened over the past year.
For many, this isn’t just an irritation. Nearly two-thirds (63%) say vehicles behind them dazzle them in ways they can’t avoid, and one in seven experience this regularly. A third of drivers affected say glare makes them feel less safe at night, while a quarter say it has knocked their confidence behind the wheel, according to the RAC.
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Drivers are quietly giving up night journeys
The impact is serious enough that one in four drivers who find headlights too bright are now driving less at night or have stopped altogether, according to the RAC research.
If you’re under 35 or over 75, the effect is even more evident, with a third of younger drivers and 43% of older drivers cutting back on night driving. Across all ages, 16% say they wish they could drive less after dark but don’t have the option.
The survey found that those who have reduced night driving say it’s largely because glare makes driving more difficult or uncomfortable (78%), while nearly half say it makes them feel unsafe.
It’s having a knock-on effect on everyday life
Avoiding night driving isn’t just about getting from A to B – it’s affecting people’s daily routines, the research found. Among drivers who’ve cut back because of glare:
- 36% now see friends less often.
- 24% see family less frequently.
- 58% say their social life has suffered.
- 15% struggle to attend important events, including healthcare appointments.
For some, dazzling headlights are limiting independence.
Safety concerns behind the wheel
Headlight glare is also undermining safety. Half of drivers surveyed say they struggle to see hazards, road markings or signs, while four in 10 find it harder to judge the speed or distance of oncoming vehicles. One in four say they’ve been temporarily blinded.
Some drivers admit to risky coping tactics: 39% look away from the road when dazzled, while nearly a quarter cover their wing mirrors with their hand to block glare from vehicles behind.
Brighter lights don’t always feel safer
Although modern headlights are brighter, they don’t always bring reassurance. Of drivers whose current car has brighter headlights than their previous one, only half say they feel safer. The rest feel no improvement – or even less safe.
Adaptive driving beam systems, designed to dip headlights automatically, are also raising concerns. A third of drivers use them, but a quarter believe they don’t dip quickly enough, increasing the risk of dazzling other road users.
Brake lights are part of the problem too. Four in 10 drivers say they’re dazzled by brake lights, an issue linked to cars with ‘auto hold’ braking systems that keep brake lights illuminated in traffic.
Drivers also say glare is at its worst on unlit and rural roads, where the contrast between darkness and bright lights is most extreme. Seven in 10 blame the whiter light used in modern headlights, while opinion is divided on whether taller vehicles are the main cause, according to the survey.
The issue reaches the government – and action is coming
Headlight glare has caught the attention of Westminster. After a petition signed by more than 14,000 people, the UK government asked independent experts at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to investigate. Their 2025 report confirmed what many drivers already knew: brighter modern headlights can make night driving harder, affecting visibility and confidence behind the wheel.
Internationally, new rules from the UN Economic Commission for Europe will also help. From September 2027, all new vehicles will have stricter headlight aiming standards and automatic levelling systems to reduce glare for other drivers.
The UK government is also taking headlight glare seriously as part of its Road Safety Strategy. Officials have pledged to dig deeper into how vehicle design may be contributing to dazzling lights and to work closely with manufacturers and other stakeholders to understand safety concerns around bigger, taller cars.
These moves make it clear that glare is being tackled as part of a broader effort to make roads safer for everyone.
What you can do right now
While long-term fixes are being developed, you can take these steps today to reduce glare and protect your vision, and that of other drivers:
- Learn how to manually dip adaptive headlights.
- Always wear your prescription driving glasses and keep them clean.
- Get regular eye tests (around every two years).
- If glare affects your vision, book an appointment with an optometrist.
From undermining confidence to affecting social lives, headlight glare is hitting drivers where it hurts. Government research, international regulation, and collaboration with manufacturers are now tackling the problem as part of a coordinated effort to make night driving safer.
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