The UK Government is worried that the power of headlights on modern production vehicles could be too bright, and is dazzling other road users.
The issue is being taken so seriously, that the Government is in talks with the United Nations over a solution following growing public concerns.
Road visibility on modern vehicles is better than ever thanks to the technology of bi-xenon bulbs and matrix laser technology – but some are now saying that the lights are too bright.
A recent RAC survey has said that 15 per cent of UK drivers admit to being dazzled by modern car headlights, to such an extent that they have suffered a near miss. Drivers are regularly getting distracted by oncoming headlights and some say it takes five seconds for their vision to return to normal. Five seconds may not sound too long, but for a driver travelling at 60mph this is a distance of 134 metres.
RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams said: “The intensity and brightness of some new car headlights is clearly causing difficulty for other road users. Headlight technology has advanced considerably in recent years, but while that may be better for the drivers of those particular vehicles, it is presenting an unwanted, new road safety risk for anyone driving towards them or even trying to pull out at a junction.
“We look forward to seeing the progress of the United Nations’ vehicle lighting working group in April.”