For many of us who live in the 705, bright headlights are a huge help when navigating dark roads in rural regions, but it can be a mixed blessing. For some, the glare of LED headlights can be blinding. Transport Canada has invited Canadians to participate in a survey about the brightness of car headlights on Canadian roads, and whether or not people feel they pose a safety risk.
“We want to hear about your experiences, attitudes, and behaviours with vehicle headlights and how glare from other vehicles’ headlights may impact you or make it harder to see while using roads at night,” the federal agency writes in the intro to the 30-question, anonymous survey.
The agency said it also conducted a test track study last year to explore the connection between modern vehicle headlights, glare and their effects on visibility and driving. Findings are expected to be presented at this year’s International Technical Conference on Enhanced Safety of Vehicles in Toronto and will be published online after.
Headlight glare can be caused by a number of factors. Modern LED headlights are brighter and bluer, which the eye perceives as 50–60% harsher than yellow halogen lights. Headlights aimed too high shine directly into oncoming drivers’ eyes or rearview mirrors rather than on the road. Vehicle type and design also play a role. Taller vehicles (SUVs, trucks) have headlights at eye level with drivers in smaller, lower vehicles. Smudges or dirt on the windshield increase the scattering of light, exacerbating the glare effect. Headlight glare can cause discomfort, visual fatigue and temporary blindness, reduce contrast sensitivity and increase the risk of accidents, especially in rainy conditions.
Headlight glare can be particularly challenging for people with astigmatism – a common eye problem that can cause blurry vision and make it difficult to see at night, especially when driving. Driving at night with astigmatism looks different for everyone, but there are a few common symptoms:
- Blurred or fuzzy vision
- Light halos surrounding traffic lights
- Starburst effects on lights
- Light beams from headlights
- Increased glare
- Squinting to see more clearly
CAA has the following recommendations for managing headlight glare:
- Avert Your Eyes: Look towards the right edge of the road or the shoulder line (white line) when oncoming high beams are blinding you.
- Clean Windshield: Clean both the inside and outside of your windshield to prevent streaks that scatter light and increase glare.
- Adjust Mirrors: Utilize the “night” setting on your rearview mirror to reduce glare from behind.
- Lower Dashboard Lights: Dim your dashboard lights so your eyes adjust better to the darkness.
- Wear Proper Glasses: Ensure your glasses are clean, and consider anti-reflective coatings. Some drivers use yellow-tinted nighttime driving glasses to reduce blue light.
- Reduce Speed: Slow down when on country roads or in heavy traffic to allow for more reaction time.
- Keep Distance: Increase your following distance to more than three seconds, as distances are harder to judge at night.
- Check Headlights: Ensure your headlights are properly aligned to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Canadians 16 and older are invited to participate by completing the 15-minute online survey or submitting feedback via email. Responses will remain anonymous and will be combined for reporting purposes. The consultation will explore several key areas, Transport Canada states, including people’s experiences travelling at night, factors that contribute to headlight glare, driver behaviour, and potential solutions to reduce its impact.
