Car lights at night: how to reduce headlight glare

Dazzling vehicle headlights are a growing concern for motorists, and the government has now said it will tackle the issue in its forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, with new measures due this year.

Our survey of 1,234 Which? members, which took place in October 2024, found 76% of drivers were concerned about collisions caused by headlight glare. Some 55% said some car headlights on UK roads were too bright, while 18% thought most were too bright.

Below, we outline what to expect from the Road Safety Strategy and explain how to reduce your risk of being dazzled.

Why headlight glare is getting worse

Government figures show there has been an average of 260 collisions every year since 2014 where dazzling headlights were a factor. Plus, organisations such as the RAC say headlight glare is on the rise.

Reasons for this include the use of brighter and more economical bluish-white LED headlights or xenon/high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs as standard. Many older cars still use 'yellow light' halogen headlamp bulbs.

The growing popularity of SUVs and other taller vehicles is also causing issues for motorists, as the vehicles' headlights often align with the eye level of drivers in oncoming or lower vehicles – making glare more likely to shine directly into their eyes.

Which? members have their say

In last year's survey, we found that 93% of those who thought vehicle headlights were too bright had been dazzled by another vehicle’s lights, with just 5% saying they hadn’t.

Among those who had been dazzled, 10% said they had stopped driving at night, while 5% said they wear night driving glasses.

Drivers told us they took a range of actions in response to being dazzled at night. Some looked away from the lights, while others slowed down or flashed their headlights at the oncoming driver in an attempt to prompt them to dip their beams.

What are the government's plans?

Criticism from drivers has prompted the government to look again at how cars and headlamps are designed. A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson said: 'We know headlight glare is frustrating for many drivers, especially as the evenings get darker.

'That’s why we commissioned independent research to better understand the causes and impact of glare, which will inform new measures in the upcoming road safety strategy.'

The results of that research are expected in the coming weeks. Although not yet confirmed, the upcoming Road Safety Strategy could potentially introduce compulsory eyesight tests for drivers over 70, with failure resulting in a driving ban.

A lower drink-drive limit is also under consideration, which would see the limit drop from 35 to 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml.

Meanwhile, the DfT says the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has 'stepped up surveillance to intercept the sale of illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs for on-road use.' Anyone caught could face a fine of up to £1,000.

Dealing with bright headlights

• Adjust your rear-view mirror – some cars have tinted rear windows or self-dimming rear-view mirrors, but most need you to adjust the mirror manually when it's dark – do this to help cut down on glare.
• Keep your distance when driving – our depth perception isn't as good in the dark, so leaving more space between you and the vehicle in front is a good night-time driving strategy.
• Let your eyes adapt to the dark – sit for a minute or two in your car before driving off, to allow your eyes to adjust to lower light levels.
• If in doubt, take it slow or stop – the Highway Code says you should slow down and, if necessary, stop if you’re dazzled.
• Keep your windscreen clean – dirt and streaks on the window can cause light to scatter, potentially making headlight glare worse. A window vac can be a useful tool to help you clean your windows rapidly during winter. (See also: Best window vacs).
• Try glasses with glare-resistant lenses – advice from the AA notes these can help if you could suffer from headaches or eye strain when you drive.
• Take breaks if your eyes feel strained – fatigue can make glare feel even worse.

Remember, if you're being dazzled, it's possible you're doing the same to others, so check your car's manual to find out how to adjust the angle of your headlights – particularly if you're driving with an unusually heavy load.

Glasses with yellow lenses are touted as helping to reduce dazzle from headlights at night, but experts say they aren't a good idea. See our guide: Are night driving glasses safe to wear?

Our expert says:

Dino Buratti, Which? cars expert

'Headlight problems can affect your own visibility and increase the risk of dazzling other road users.

'Our car lab tests have shown that not all modern headlight systems illuminate the road equally or brightly enough or can be too bright, which could lead to road users being dazzled. Most modern cars don't come with built-in headlight cleaners, which can affect how evenly light from the headlights illuminates the road.

'If your vehicle has automatic full beam, consider switching it off before you set off so it doesn’t activate at the wrong moment. If it comes on when it shouldn’t, turn off the automatic setting and manage it manually instead.'

Discover the best cars – we've independently tested hundreds of models and rounded up the best cars by class.