Modern Car Headlights 'Too Bright' Say UK Drivers
Consumer group Which? reveals driver concerns about dazzling modern headlights. Find out your rights when dangerous lighting affects road safety.
Which? has published findings showing UK drivers describe modern car headlights as 'too bright', 'dazzling' and 'scary', highlighting growing safety concerns about LED and xenon lighting technology on British roads.
The issue stems from newer vehicles using high-intensity discharge (HID) and LED headlight systems that produce significantly more lumens than traditional halogen bulbs. Whilst these lights improve visibility for the driver using them, they can create dangerous glare for oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The problem is particularly acute when headlight aim is incorrect or when automatic levelling systems fail.
Under UK road traffic regulations, headlights must not cause undue dazzle to other road users. The MOT test specifically checks for correct headlight aim and intensity, and garages can fail vehicles with poorly adjusted lights. However, many modern vehicles pass MOT tests whilst still causing problems in real-world driving conditions due to the intensity of the light source itself.
Your rights as a driver are clear if you're affected by defective headlights. If you've purchased a vehicle with headlights that consistently dazzle other drivers despite proper adjustment, this could constitute a fault under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The lights must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose, which includes not creating dangerous driving conditions. You have 30 days for a full refund, or up to six months to demand repair or replacement.
Drivers experiencing problems with excessively bright headlights should first have the beam alignment checked at a garage - incorrect aim is often the culprit and costs around £20-30 to fix. If the lights are correctly aligned but still cause issues, contact your dealer immediately. Document any complaints from other drivers and keep records of garage visits for potential warranty claims.
For consumer disputes over faulty headlights, Citizens Advice provides free guidance on your rights. If you're being dazzled by other vehicles, you can report dangerous driving to police, though enforcement remains patchy. The key is ensuring your own vehicle's lights are properly adjusted - you're legally responsible for ensuring they don't endanger other road users.
