With darker days and icy conditions, winter can be a difficult time for drivers.
But experts at Confused.com have now shared a top tip on how to stay safe while on the road this winter. The tip comes as the RAC called for Department for Transport (DfT) to restrict brightness of headlights, reports the Daily Star.
This is because motorists have complained about being dazzled by the lights behind their cars through the rear-view mirror. They now want to see a change to the regulations.
Louise Thomas, motor expert at Confused.com, says bright headlights can severely limit a driver’s visibility, especially during the winter months. She said: “The winter months can be difficult for drivers, with darkness often causing poor visibility for many.
“In fact, our research found that two in five (18%) drivers struggle to see clearly driving when it’s dark. This could be down to a variety of factors, but things like bright LED headlights from other vehicles can cause problems.”
The RAC recently published a report that found 98% of UK motorists think some headlights fitted to the latest cars are way too bright. And to cope with restriction to visibility, 67% of motorists claimed they typically have to slow down until they’re no longer blinded.
The company also found bright headlights are preventing some motorists over the age of 65 from getting behind the wheel when it’s dark. Louise advised motorists who are dazzled by others to try their best to remain calm and pull the small tab at the bottom of the rear-view mirror to prevent glare.
She explained: “If you are dazzled by other cars when driving, the best thing to do is to slow down and drive carefully. But take care doing so if there are others driving behind you.
“And if you find it’s the car behind you which is dazzling, adjusting your rear-view mirror could help reduce glare. It also helps to keep your windscreens free of dirt as this often creates glare too.”
