Are some LED headlights on new cars too bright to be safe? 08/07/19

According to research from the RAC, drivers believe that new car headlights are becoming too bright and potentially a danger to other road users.

The new LED headlights are so luminous that the research found that 91% of those surveyed said that car headlights are too bright and 60% of them admitted that they are often dazzled by the lights whilst driving, even if the lights are dipped.

Over 300 collisions a year are due to dazzling headlights. The survey also concluded that many people are no longer able to tell the difference between a headlight that is dipped and one on full beam.

The research also suggest that in some cases it may not just be the intensity of the lights that is the issue – other concerns include badly aligned headlights, or lights on the incorrect height setting.

Part of the MOT test concerns the alignment of the headlights. In 2016 this was altered to ensure that lights are aligned to point slightly to the left to reduce the risk of dazzling oncoming motorists. In 2018 6% of vehicles tested due the headlight direction – that is the equivalent of 1.6m cars last year.

If you find that you get dazzled often and you wear glasses, opticians can offer a coating to your glasses that can help reduce the glare of the bright lights.

It’s advisable to check if your own headlights may be causing issues to other road users –

  • Check the levels of your headlights depending on the load of your car. If you are carrying heavy objects in the boot it is likely that your headlights will be pointing higher - a single person with an empty boot will result in a different headlight level to a car with four adults and a full boot


  • When you get your car serviced you can ask for your headlights to be aligned and checked to ensure sure they are pointing in the right direction




The issues that result in glaring headlights can be more complex than you would think. There a number of different reasons that can cause this - ranging from the height of a vehicle, people’s personal vision or headlight alignment.

There are steps due to be put in place that to keep headlights safe - international standards of headlights have not been revised since the 1960s. These standards do not take into consideration new technologies like xenon and LED lights, but it is likely that they will in the near future.



All content is believed to be correct at the time of publication.




No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury