Being dazzled by glare from headlights when driving can be disorientating, and according to a recent survey, drivers think the problem is getting worse. In this post, we will let you know how you can avoid the problem of glare from headlights.

Keep your windscreen clean

Make sure that your windscreen is clean, inside and out and also ensure that it is clear of any condensation and ice. When a glass surface is dirty or streaked, any light that hits it can scatter and create glare.

Reduce the brightness of the dashboard lights

If you reduce the brightness of your dashboard lights, this should limit reflections and prevent you from having to readjust your eyes from the dark road to the dashboard.

 

Keep your headlights clean

Over time, the outer casing of your headlights will become dirty. Ensuring that your headlights are clean will increase your visibility to other motorists and also better illuminates the road ahead.  If there is not a white line, look at where the edge of the highway meets the road.

Don’t look directly at the glare

Do not look directly at the glare from oncoming traffic. If the glare is too much, look down to the right at the white line. This will help to become a guide to the road shape. Once passed, focus back on the road ahead.

Keep headlights in good shape

It’s imperative to keep your headlights in good condition while driving.

When approaching someone on the highway, you should dip your lights as soon as you see their headlights. This also applies when you see the rear brake lights too, as headlights can dazzle drivers when they check their rear-view mirror.

Look after your eyes

It’s not always down the vehicle, sometimes your eyes can be the problem. Try to keep your eyes moving to different areas of the road ahead, rather than fixated in one spot – this will reduce the effects of eye fatigue.

If you wear glasses, also make sure your prescription is up to date and your glasses are clean and scratch-free. It is recommended to get an eye test every two years.

 

 

According to a new survey, more than half of drivers who suffer glare from headlights believe the problem is getting worse.

What is headlight glare?

Glare is a light source that interferes with your vision. Those who drive at night time are already at several visual disadvantages and one of them is glare from the headlights.  Glare from headlights can cause drivers to be dazzled and disorientated.

What the survey says

A survey by RAC indicated 54% of people who believe car headlights are too bright say they are dazzled more regularly now than a year ago.

Sports utility vehicles sit higher on the road and 1,215 respondents blamed the popularity of SUVs for the increase in glare. Survey respondents also noted the use of xenon and LED headlights and drivers not adjusting their lights when carrying different loads for the increase in glare.

What happens when drivers are dazzled by headlight glare?

The latest figures provided by Department for Transport show the number of people injured in crashes caused by a driver being dazzled by headlights on Britain’s roads increased by 9% year-on-year to 392 in 2017, with a further six people killed.

Rod Dennis, a spokesman for RAC said: “The dazzling effect of another driver’s headlights isn’t just uncomfortable – in some cases it can be nothing short of dangerous, making us lose sight of the road for a short time.

“So it’s concerning to see that a greater proportion of drivers have reported problems with glare this year than last year.

“The issue of glare is a complex one and it’s not as straightforward as saying one type of lightbulb causes more of a dazzling effect than another.

“There are a range of reasons why a driver might be dazzled, from a slight misalignment of a headlight, the difference in ride height of different vehicles and even individual people’s vision.”

 

 

Shahzad Ali: Our journey is to help people with theirs

When I founded Get Licensed in 2007 it was a long way from where we are today. From starting from a bedroom in North London over the last 11 years this company has grown and grown but our guiding mission has always remained the same.

Our motto: To simplify the process of getting licensed.

I believe in simplicity and transparency and I think that a marketplace can only function properly if these things exist.

The process of finding a driving instructor currently happens in an uneven market place. Driving Instructors struggle for visibility which means that they have a few options. Reduce their prices, spend their evenings on marketing or join a large school and surrender control of their business. When a driving instructor becomes a commodity this is no longer good for the market – the battle comes down to marketing over quality. For people wanting to learn to drive this isn’t an ideal situation either. They are faced with a barrage of information which makes the decision process even more complicated.

When a marketplace becomes opaque and only price orientated we start to move away from the true concept of value.
A simple approach is always the best approach. For me, simplicity means having the correct information to make the right decision, honest reviews and simple pricing.
Simplicity means empowerment

At Get Licensed I have always strived to empower – whether that is training providers or people looking for courses or lessons. I think that this is how a marketplace should work – to facilitate both sides of the transaction.

A common misconception is that you cannot have it both ways but I have always believed that when the best training providers can focus on providing the best training and learners can make informed choices then you can have your cake and eat it – as the saying goes.
We have helped training providers grow as well as help over 300,000 people find their perfect training courses.

The Get Licensed way is:
o Simple, impartial information
o Trusted Training Partners
o Transparent and honest reviews

Shahzad Ali

The Hazard Perception test is the second part of the UK theory test. The Hazard Perception test assesses how well a learner driver is able to spot and react to a hazardous situation on the road. Being able to detect a potential hazard early enough is an important skill that all drivers should have. Good hazard perception helps to prevent road accidents and also saves lives.

What is a developing hazard?

A developing hazard is something that would cause a driver to take action, like changing speed or direction.

What to expect on your Hazard Perception Test

You are going to be shown fourteen hazard test video clips, each lasting a minute. Thirteen clips will contain one developing hazard but one clip will contain two developing hazards. You need to tap the touch screen or click the mouse (depending on the test centre) as soon as you see the developing hazard. A hazard could be poor road conditions or animals wandering onto the road. You will only get one chance with each question. In order to get full marks, you need to click the mouse as soon as the hazard emerges. You can score between 0 and 5 on each hazard. The maximum score you can get is 75 and you need a score of 44 to pass. Your score is determined by the speed of which you spot a hazard.

How the Hazard Perception Test will work

The test will start with a short video tutorial played on a computer screen. The tutorial will explain how the hazard perception test works and what you will need to do. You will have the option to watch the tutorial again or proceed to the test.

Every hazard clip will begin with a freeze frame at the start of the video sequence and a countdown from 10 will commence. At the end of the countdown, the clip will start to play and you will need to click each time you spot a developing hazard.

So you know that the program has registered your click, a red flag will appear on the bottom of the screen. There will be a red flag across a grey brand for each click you make in any particular clip. At the end of the clip, all the flags will be removed before you start onto the next clip.

How you will be scored

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard. In order to get a high score, you need to click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop. You won’t lose points if you get any wrong but you won’t score anything if you click repeatedly or in a pattern.

Hints and tips

Be calm and remember that no points are lost for getting a question wrong.

Don’t wait too long to click as you’re being tested on speed.

Subscribe to our Get Licensed Driving School which will be full of hints and tips to help you pass your driving test. Also, visit the New Driver Programme website which has plenty of resources for learner drivers.