Urgent warning over popular car ‘upgrade’ which risks BLINDING drivers and sparking deadly crash
AN URGENT warning has been issued to drivers after a popular car “upgrade” has blinded road users.
Campaigners are demanding a government investigation into their usage out of concern for people’s safety.
Illegally fitted LED headlights have not just drawn attention on the roads, with some behind the wheel wanting further action to prevent subsequent accidents.
New research by the RAC, a breakdown cover and car insurance brand, has discovered that one in 20 drivers have reported a near-collision due to strong headlights.
The risks seem to be glaringly obvious with campaigners from the charity Lightaware illuminating how drivers are swapping their car bulbs “to have bright headlights”.
A spokesperson for the company told MailOnline: “Halogen headlights use reflectors to create beam patterns, while LEDs use projectors.
“If an LED bulb is placed in a halogen housing, it will be hard to replicate the beam pattern, and the resulting poor beam alignment could cause glare for other drivers.”
The bulbs themselves can be legally bought despite them usually being intended for use on private property only.
Further problems have also arisen after an increase in demand for the stark white LEDs and drivers failing to adjust their lights in response to other users on the road.
As motor heads can make the update to their vehicle themselves, they may not realise the use of the illegal light until their car fails an MoT.
Spokesperson for the RAC, Rod Dennis explained how the group is “very concerned” over the bulbs which can be “terrible” quality if bought for cheap.
He also suggested more research is needed to fully understand the impact of the bulbs on public highways.
The government has now commissioned this getting them one step closer to protecting drivers from potential accidents.
In the RAC’s survey, 91 per cent of the 2000 participants admitted to being dazzled while driving.
A further 74 per cent reported this occurred on a regular basis.
The lights can be used legally on public roads if they are fitted as standard to a new car, however if incorrectly installed a vehicle could fail its MoT.
How to avoid being dazzled on the road?
Driving experts from the RAC have revealed their top ten tips to prevent being blinded by lights on the road.
- Reduce your speed when driving in the dark
- Try to avoid looking straight into headlights ahead
- Keep a clean windscreen
- Dip your rear-view mirror at night
- Schedule in breaks when travelling in the evening
- Stay on top of your eye care
- Buy anti-glare glasses
- Ask for help from someone who has been driving for longer
- Use low beams where possible
- Remember to adjust your own headlights
Source: MailOnline