Mike Parry has described driving at night “scary” amid a push for the Government to address the issue of bright headlights.
A new poll, commissioned by the RAC, shows more than four out of five (85 per cent) drivers affected by headlight glare feel the problem is worsening.
The insurance company have called on the Government to launch an independent study into the issue.
It believes headlights appear brighter on modern cars because their use of LED rather than traditional halogen bulbs creates a more intense and focused beam, which improves a driver’s view but can be to the detriment of other road users.
Mike Parry says new car headlights are designed for TV studios
GB NEWS / GETTY
Speaking on GB News, broadcaster Mike Parry said the LED lights in modern cars could be “absolutely deadly”.
“They’re actually designed for TV studios to give you the impression that you’re in daylight”, he said.
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“They’re that bright. Do you know where they are absolutely deadly? If somebody is coming the other way over a sleeping policeman, the front of the car comes up and then goes straight into your eyes.
“It looks like a full beam but it isn’t.”
Parry spoke about his personal experience of driving on the A3, with stretches not having roadside lights.
“That means it’s complete and utter darkness”, he said.
Mike Parry, Andrew Pierce, Bev Turner and Stephen Pound dissected the issue on GB News
GB News
“When a car comes the other way, particularly if it is coming around a bend, it’s extremely dangerous.
“You are immediately thinking, ‘what’s my position on the road? Am I too far over? Am I too close to that car?’
“I think it’s really unsettling, honestly.”
Former Labour MP Stephen Pound waded in on the discussion by admitting he is “reluctant” to drive at night.
“I think in some ways, this is almost a fashion statement”, he said.
“The manufacturers need to look at it and the Government need to look at the regulations on this because I think the luminescence is now so bright and serious.”
Government figures show that since 2013 there has been an average of 280 collisions on Britain’s roads every year where dazzling headlights were a contributory factor.
Of these, six a year involved someone losing their life.
The RAC has raised the issue of headlight glare with the Department for Transport (DfT) and has been working with Labour peer Baroness Hayter to seek action.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “Our figures suggest drivers are more concerned than ever about headlight glare, with a huge proportion wanting to see something done about it.
“We urgently need the Government to take a closer look at the issue, ideally by commissioning an independent study to understand what’s causing an increase in reports of dazzling and, most importantly, what can be done to keep drivers safe.
“With spring still a long way off, there’s a good chance many people will do most of their driving in darkness over the next few months and, according to our research, that means an awful lot of drivers will experience the discomfort and even danger that comes from being dazzled by headlights.”
