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Cars: Lighting

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 28 April 2025UIN 46252

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 34686 on Cars: Lighting, if her Department will commission research into potential correlations between LED headlight brightness and road accidents caused by glare.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood

All types of road vehicle headlamps, including those using LED technology, are designed, tested and approved to internationally recognised standards to help prevent undue glare on a broad range of roads and environments.

Police recorded collision statistics in Great Britain do not show any discernible trend over time that would suggest an underlying road safety issue linked to advances in lighting technology.

However, Government recognises increased public concern around headlamp glare and, as noted in my answer to Question 34686, has commissioned independent research. This is measuring light levels experienced by drivers during real driving on UK roads and considers factors like vehicle characteristics, weather conditions and ambient lighting. It also includes a programme of stakeholder engagement to build a comprehensive understanding of the issues. Careful consideration will be given to that work when it reports later this year to determine what future actions may be appropriate to ensure the safety of all road users.

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