LED headlight glare can be combated with simple dashboard hack as safety fears raised - Irish Star

Never miss a thing! Get the latest news from Irishstar.com every day

We have more newsletters

Never miss a thing! Get the latest news from Irishstar.com every day

We have more newsletters

A whopping 57 percent of drivers are sounding the alarm on LED headlights, complaining that they are too bright for the roads, according to a poll by LKQ Euro Car Parts. Not only are these beams causing discomfort, but an equal number deem them dangerous to road users.

A hefty slice of the survey participants —25 percent — raised concerns about the excessive brightness of LEDs, indicating it blurs their vision when they are driving.

Despite their stellar energy savings and night vision capabilities, the ultra-luminous lamps in contemporary cars are causing safety fears over their effects on incoming traffic.

LKQ Euro Car Parts share that nearly a third (28 percent) of car jockeys would support laws to rein in excessively bright LED lights, with more people wanting their total ban.

However, for those distressed by the high-wattage glare, the Daily Record reported an under-the-radar trick straight from the experts' playbook: tone down your dash luminance during night drives.

The experts said: "A bright dashboard can make it harder for your eyes to adjust to darkness, amplifying glare from oncoming headlights."

They continued: "If possible, lower the brightness of your dashboard at night to improve contrast and help your eyes adapt more easily."

Experts at LKQ Euro Car Parts have shared some illuminating advice on how to tackle the blinding glare from oncoming headlights when driving at night. They suggest that keeping your car's windows and mirrors squeaky clean is crucial, as "dirty windows and mirrors can worsen the glare from oncoming headlights by scattering the light as it hits the surface, so it's important to keep them clean."

To ensure a clear view, they recommend using a microfibre cloth paired with a specialist glass cleaner to banish any smudges and leave your glass surfaces gleaming.

In addition to cleanliness, the experts emphasize the importance of proper mirror alignment to prevent being dazzled by bright lights. They advise: "Misaligned mirrors can reflect bright headlights that are behind you directly into your eyes, making the glare from LED lights worse. Ensure your rear-view mirror is in 'night' or 'auto-dimming' mode if available."

They also suggest tweaking your side mirrors to angle away from the harsh light of other cars and more towards the road.

The specialists don't stop there; they also stress the significance of regular eye check-ups, especially as we age, since our eyes can become more susceptible to glare over time. They point out: "Changes in vision, particularly as we age, can make us more sensitive to glare.

"Having regular eye tests to ensure your prescription is up to date is an important safety precaution for driving, and can also help detect conditions like cataracts, which can increase glare sensitivity."

Dr. Deborah Lee from Dr Fox online pharmacy chimes in, noting that intense lights can trigger a range of physical symptoms, often more pronounced in older drivers.

She detailed the issue, saying: "Sudden exposure to bright headlights can cause temporary vision impairment, eye strain, headaches and even slower reaction times. For older drivers or those with existing eye conditions, the effects can be even worse.

"In short, the intensity of LED headlights can create what's called an intraocular straylight, which blurs vision and makes it hard for eyes to focus.

"This can be especially dangerous when driving at night as it can make it harder to see hazards on the road."

It's not shocking that those without LED headlights in their cars are more up in arms, with a hefty 78 percent deeming the lights too bright, compared to only 47 percent among those who do use LED headlights.

But even some drivers with LEDs find them overwhelming enough to ditch the bulbs, with 7 percent going to the lengths of replacing them.

This glaring issue hits all ages, but our elders pay the highest toll, with more than one-third (36 percent) of those over 65 admitting LED glare messes with their vision while behind the wheel, starkly contrasting the mere 15 percent of fresh-faced 18–24 year-olds affected.

For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here.

As for getting hot under the collar, youth are feeling the heat; 33 percent of drivers aged 18-24 confess to getting steamed up by blinding beams, leading to road rage—quite different from the cool-headed 2 percent of seniors who report similar ire.

The UK government is presently probing into the glare produced by LED headlights, under pressure from both the RAC and the Royal College of Optometrists. The findings of this investigation are anticipated to be unveiled this summer.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.