Why are so many cars blinding me with excessive headlight dazzle?
For many years it has been the convention to quickly flash other drivers when their lights 'dazzle' as you drove towards them. I have flashed and been flashed, in the latter case, I have quickly switched my lights off 'spot' and felt foolish. While this may have been an unwritten convention it was rarely needed. Why is it then, that in recent years, I have gone from the occasional flash every few months, to flashing at cars causing distraction and excessive 'dazzle' what seems like to almost every other car as they drive towards me? Strangely, this is happening in good driving conditions, in the daytime, when it is still possible to see for miles in all directions!
Asked on 13 May 2026 by MikeMyers
Answered by
David Ross
It is likely that you are experiencing the modern phenomenon of LED headlights, which unfortunately is causing many drivers to experience dazzle - something which we have reported on here and is being researched by the Transport Research Laboratory - www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/driving/2025-10/millions.../
While LED headlights offer superior performance for the driver, it is also the driver's responsibility to ensure that they are correctly adjusted and used appropriately according to the conditions. Higher specification active LED headlights can adjust the beam pattern to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, and while this is a welcome improvement in the technology a solution that can be applied to all vehicles is required.
While LED headlights offer superior performance for the driver, it is also the driver's responsibility to ensure that they are correctly adjusted and used appropriately according to the conditions. Higher specification active LED headlights can adjust the beam pattern to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, and while this is a welcome improvement in the technology a solution that can be applied to all vehicles is required.
Similar questions
Can car manufacturers put some coating on car windscreens to reduce LED glare?
Why is there a plague of car drivers driving in good daytime viability using full headlights? This habit is a minor irritation with old fashioned headlights but is a massive issue with the dazzling potential...
My neighbour has just been quoted £800 to replace a headlight bulb on his newish Hyundai saloon. This is because it is a sealed unit that requires much work to remove it from the front wing. Are there...
Elsewhere on 
