A recent RAC survey has confirmed what millions of us already know: modern car headlights are just too bright. Over 89% of drivers say they’ve been dazzled by oncoming lights. And for those of us over 40, it’s not just a passing irritation — it’s become something far more serious. A growing number of older people are now so anxious about driving at night that they simply don’t do it anymore. What’s developing — quietly but steadily — is a kind of unofficial curfew. One that’s not enforced by government or by law, but by fear. Older people who once drove themselves to evening classes, dinners with friends, or social clubs now find the idea of getting behind the wheel after dark deeply unsettling. And who can blame them?
As we get older, our eyes naturally become more vulnerable to glare. The College of Optometrists explains that from the age of 40, the eye’s ability to adjust to changes in light begins to slow. Our pupils react more sluggishly to bright lights, our retinas become less efficient, and contrast sensitivity — the ability to distinguish between light and dark — begins to decline. Put simply: headlights that seem fine to a 25-year-old can feel blinding to someone in their 60s, 70s or beyond.
It’s not just oncoming cars that cause problems. On motorways, high-intensity beams from 4x4s and SUVs dazzle through rear-view mirrors — even when dipped.
On winding country roads, headlights suddenly swing into view around bends, filling your vision with white glare. And then there are motorbikes that roar up behind you, headlamps on full beam, leaving you momentarily blinded. It’s startling, it’s disorienting, and it makes a lot of us feel unsafe.
In my generation, we were brought up to be independent — to get on with things, not make a fuss. But this is becoming more than an inconvenience. If older people can’t go out after dark, we are effectively shut out of society for half the year.
In the winter months, when it gets dark at 4pm, that means missing everything from family dinners to concerts, evening classes to community events. The impact on mental wellbeing, social connection, and even physical activity levels is profound.
So what’s the solution?
It starts with common sense and compassion. Car manufacturers have a responsibility to design lights that keep everyone safe — not just the driver. Overly intense headlights may improve visibility for the person behind the wheel, but they can completely obscure the road for someone approaching.
Regulators and the government also need to act. We urgently need:
A full review of headlight brightness levels.
Mandatory headlight levelling systems on all new vehicles — so beams adjust based on load and angle.
Automatic glare-reduction technology built into rear-view mirrors as standard.
Stronger guidance for motorcyclists and drivers on dipping their beams and being considerate of older road users.
The RAC’s own spokesperson has acknowledged that drivers feel helpless — and that dazzling lights are affecting confidence and safety. So let’s move from awareness to action.
In the meantime, I urge older drivers not to feel ashamed about changing their routines — but also not to give up their independence entirely.
If you’re nervous about night driving, consider daytime alternatives, car shares, or public transport where possible. And if you must drive after dark, make sure your windscreen is spotless (dirt increases glare), check your headlights are correctly aligned, and keep your speed down.
We all want to stay active and independent as we age — and that includes being able to go out after sunset. With the right adjustments from industry and government, there’s no reason we can’t make our roads safer and more welcoming for everyone.
Let’s keep our communities connected — and make sure we’re lighting the way, not blinding each other into isolation.