The UK Government is commissioning research into headlight glare

Modern headlights are one of the next areas for scrutiny on the UK Government’s to-do list. MP Lilian Greenwood confirmed in Parliament that officials will be looking into “the root causes of headlight glare”.

No, really. Greenwood said the process of commissioning research on this dazzling subject had started and that the final report will need to "identify potential countermeasures".

At the beginning of the year, the RAC found 89 per cent of drivers thought some headlights on today’s cars are too bright – and 91 per cent get dazzled by oncoming vehicles. (A fiver says the other nine per cent wear their sunglasses at night).

It's true, headlamp technology has improved over recent years, bringing daytime running functionality and intelligent matrix cleverness – meaning parts of the headlamp turn off when sensors detect oncoming traffic or road users. Or at least, they're supposed to.

Despite being a source of both illumination and humour, the matter is actually quite serious. Some 85 per cent of those surveyed by the RAC reckoned the problem is getting worse and the association reckons an average of 280 road accidents a year can be attributed to headlight glare.

There's plenty of conjecture about what’s causing the problem, too. Though LED headlights are brighter for drivers to see better ahead, according to ophthalmologists the human eye reacts differently to them than a halogen bulb – taking longer to recover from being dazzled.

Then there’s those that think it’s the number of SUVs on the road, where the headlights sit higher up. There’s also suggestions that illegal LEDs are being increasingly used by some modification fanatics.

Responding to the news that the matter will be investigated, Rod Dennis, the RAC’s road safety spokesman, said: “We are delighted to see a commitment from the new Government that independent research into the issue of dazzling headlights is being commissioned, especially with darker evenings now on the way.

“We hope it leads to a better understanding of what is a complex problem, but one that is undoubtedly affecting drivers up and down the country – in fact, more drivers have contacted us with their concerns about this topic than any other in recent times. We’ve worked hard over a number of years to raise this topic on drivers’ behalf and now look forward to supporting the Department for Transport in this piece of work.”