If you've found yourself squinting, shielding your eyes, or muttering under your breath about 'those blasted headlights' when driving, you're not alone.

Across Australia, a heated debate has been raging about the latest vehicle safety tech in the country.

Is this feature actually making our roads more dangerous?

A recent News Corp Australia poll shone a spotlight on just how widespread this issue is.

Nearly 80 per cent of more than 10,000 Aussies surveyed shared that headlights in new vehicles are too bright.

Many drivers claimed that these dazzling beams have been creating hazardous conditions on the road.

Drivers have complained over the excessively bright headlights in modern vehicles. Image Credit: Pexels/Mike Bird

This came after a study in the United Kingdom, which found that three out of four drivers felt 'blinded' by modern headlights.

This glare has contributed to over 200 collisions in 2023.

So, what's changed in today's vehicles?

The culprit behind these blinding lights was the shift from halogen bulbs to LED and High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lights.

While halogen bulbs emit between 700 and 1,200 lumens, the new kids on the block could blast 6,000 to 8,000 lumens!

The poll also managed to gather stories from frustrated drivers.

'I drive with an envelope on my dash...at night, I will put it up over my eyes to stop the glare,' said driver Ann le.

'This has been a problem since LEDs came out. I've been nearly blinded several times,' another driver, Ditchie, shared.

'If 700 lumens are enough for night driving, why are we building cars with 6,000 lumens?'

'Recently, a two-minute drive to the local servo at 10 pm, I passed three cars that seemed to have high beams on,' a third frustrated driver said.

'I seriously could not see properly for a while after they had passed.'

The UK government already launched an independent investigation into the issue.

Meanwhile, many Aussies are calling for our own inquiry.

The National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA), however, stated that there's little evidence that brighter headlights have led to more accidents here.

The move to LEDs and HIDs goes beyond showing off on the road.

These lights are more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and could improve visibility for the driver in theory.

However, these lights have intense beams that could blind oncoming traffic, especially when fitted to taller vehicles like SUVs and four-wheel drives.

The higher the headlights, the more likely they are to shine directly into the eyes of drivers in smaller vehicles.

Aftermarket modifications have also become more common, with some drivers installing non-compliant bulbs that don't meet Australian Design Rules (ADR) standards.

According to the ADR, headlights must comply with their standards.

Non-compliant lights could result in penalties, defect notices, and even vehicles taken off the road.

For those considering upgrading their headlights, make sure you choose products that follow ADR compliance.

It's not just about avoiding a fine; it's about keeping everyone on the road safe.

Vehicle expert Iain Curry suggested that drivers should wait for the UK's investigation before launching a separate one in Australia.

While we wait for the government to act, here are a few tips to help you cope with the glare:

• Keep your windscreen clean (inside and out) to reduce light scatter.
• Adjust your rearview mirror to the 'night' setting to dim the headlights behind you.
• Look to the left edge of the road when oncoming vehicles approach rather than staring directly at their lights.
• If you suspect your headlights are too bright or misaligned, have them checked by a professional.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly 80 per cent of Australians believed that new vehicle headlights are too bright, with many reporting dangerous glare on the roads.
• The problem has been linked to increased use of brighter LED and HID headlights, especially on taller vehicles like SUVs and four-wheeled drives.
• Road users voiced their frustrations online and shared stories of near-misses. Experts warned that fitting non-compliant, aftermarket headlights could make vehicles unroadworthy and should lead to fines.
• While the NRMA stated that there's little direct evidence of increased accidents, there are calls for an Australian investigation into the issue.

We want to hear from you, members! Have you been dazzled by modern headlights? Should Australia crack down on blinding beams, or is it just a sign of progress? Share your stories, tips, and opinions in the comments below!

 

[@TonyLS]

WAY BACK IN NSW LIGHTS WERE CHECKED EACH YEAR WITH PROPER EQUIPMENT. CABS HAD THE MOST MISALINED LIGHTS AFTER MINOR REPAIRS

 

[BabsL]

Absolutely AGREE! The latest NV are dangerous in their excessive headlight glare to oncoming traffic!
Also the now near invisible INDICATOR lights !
It used to be obvious when a vehicle was indicating a turn signal, until some cretinous manufacturer decided that a narrow stripe of 10-12cm would make do.
IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, and it puts other people’s lives at great risk!

 

[Ronloby]

I drive a small SUV, and the lights of some new smaller cars are also very bright enough to blind a person. All new vehicles should have their lights checked upon first registration to make sure they are at the correct strength and the indicators are large enough. I saw a light truck with indicators that were just visible during the daylight. Don't wait for the Poms to make a decision we should DO IT NOW.

 

[Shihan]

The issue I have is when anSUV or a Ute approach me at night their lights are higher from the ground and shine directly into my eyes causing temporary blindness. Many years ago when a vehicle had its annual rego check the headlights were part of the check and if they were adjusted to high or were too bright the would have to be rectified. I think action on bright headlights should be taken now.

 

[Wayneo]

Absolutely AGREE! The latest NV are dangerous in their excessive headlight glare to oncoming traffic!
Also the now near invisible INDICATOR lights !
It used to be obvious when a vehicle was indicating a turn signal, until some cretinous manufacturer decided that a narrow stripe of 10-12cm would make do.
IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, and it puts other people’s lives at great risk!

I agree some new cars have really small indicators you can hardly see them especially if the sun’s shining on them. But the other ones you can see them from a mile away.

 

[bluesbrother]

Bloody awful! And quite dangerous.

 

[Canham]

i have a pair of anti glare glasses which i can use day or night and do use when driving at night when i come across these lights which blind us we all have a right to use the roads safely and to reach our destination without a problem you can now get an anti glare coating on glasses it has just been added to my distance glasses

 

[Steveoh]

I've been saying for the last few years,LED head lights blinding, indicators between brake lights can't be seen when brake lights are on, screens inside for adjusting things taking your focus off the road, people driving at night with no lights on because daylight running lights are so bright and dashboard lights on permanently they think their lights are on.I thought ozzy ADR were about safety, obviously blind to this.

 

[Catherines]

The first step should be taken by the Motoring Authorities in each state lobbying the Federal government to insist and legislate that all cars imported into Australia should have standard shaped lights. Cars that you see on the roads theses days have all manner of external fittings - fine, the inside shape of dash, seating, computerised gadgets etc are a manufacturer’s prerogative as is the shape of the external body. However, the indicators, headlights, brake lights and tail lights should be standard so that everyone driving has the same view of an oncoming car or the rear view of the car and is not distracted by headlights that look like a pair of eyes, brake lights in the form of a lighted red strip over the boot (some lights also run from one side to the other of the car), variations of indicators and their positions on the car.

Fancy cars are becoming a hazard on the roads because they distract other drivers with all these fancy light fixtures.. Lights used to be visually manageable yellow tinged lights but these days they are LED ones and far, far too bright at night. And we should definitely go back to mandatory yearly checks of every car’s lights which should have mandatory reports to Transport & Main Roads who oversee & issue car registration.

 

[steamyjack]

I agree with those drivers who complain about being blinded by these new headlights.Even when on low beam they're a blinding risk. Time for an Australian inquiry.

 

[Niahay]

Ttotally agree. Modern headlights are a huge hindrance. I have been blinded a few times & l make a point of not looking directly at them. Not necessary to be quite so intense

 

[7777]

These new strong fitted headlights appear to be like high beam lights. I believe that a lot of these cars that have these strong Alien like bright headlights, are business cars that have been made that way, to make the driver feel they have president over other vehicles, that have normal fitted lights. People with these strong fitted headlights, who know that their headlights are a hindrance to other cars, appear to be on a high ego trip, not caring about anyone other than themselves. Sadly, the laws concerning these strong headlights, will change only when an accident has occurred.