As darker mornings and evenings take hold, an expert is encouraging motorists to check a simple switch that could help prevent them from being dazzled by headlights during autumn journeys. Fresh research from Ripe Classic Car Insurance has revealed that darkness and reduced visibility are among the most significant contributing factors to crashes during the winter months.
Mel Savage, head of insurance product at the firm, has outlined how switching your rear-view mirror to 'night mode' can help minimise glare from other vehicles when travelling in the dark.
Expert explains the 'night mode' switch
Savage said: "Over the past few years, LED headlights in newer cars have raised concerns about glare affecting road users. While they're designed to help drivers see more clearly during the darker months, the bright lights can cause temporary loss of vision, slower reaction times and result in drivers drifting out of lanes or missing hazards ahead.
"As well as this, there are now more SUVs on the road, meaning headlights can sit higher up and shine directly into other drivers' eyes. However, what many drivers might not realise is that there's actually a simple switch on their rear-view mirror that can help prevent them from being dazzled by motorists behind them, which can be particularly useful at this time of year."
In most vehicles with a manual dimming mirror, the switch is located underneath the rear-view mirror and allows you to toggle between a fully reflective surface during the day and a dimmed reflection at night, helping to reduce glare from headlights behind you. Some modern cars also have rear-view mirrors that dim automatically depending on the conditions.
How to stay safe when facing dazzling headlights
There are several other straightforward measures you can take to minimise the impact of headlight glare while driving at night, helping to keep both yourself and other road users safe throughout the darker months.
Should your visibility be compromised by headlight glare, ensure you reduce your speed and increase the gap between yourself and the vehicle ahead, as being dazzled can also impair your reaction time. If you find yourself struggling to see clearly, do not hesitate to pull over somewhere safe until your vision has fully recovered.
You may not consider your windscreen and windows to be particularly relevant to headlight glare, but dirt, dust and streaks on the glass can actually make glare from oncoming vehicles considerably worse, reducing your ability to see the road ahead. Before heading out after dark, take a moment to clean your windows inside and out and inspect your wiper blades, as worn or damaged blades can worsen smearing. It is also worth topping up your washer fluid, as grit, salt and mud from the roads can rapidly accumulate on your windscreen during the autumn and winter months.
Additional measures to reduce glare
It is not solely a matter of being dazzled yourself — it is equally important to show consideration for other road users. Driving over potholes or uneven road surfaces can sometimes interfere with your headlight alignment, causing the beams to point too high and blind oncoming drivers, or too low and diminish your own visibility. Ensure your headlight alignment is checked on a regular basis, either as part of your routine servicing or ahead of the darker winter months, to confirm they are angled correctly.
If you find yourself particularly struggling with headlight glare, it may be worth scheduling an appointment with an optician, as certain eye conditions, such as cataracts or astigmatism, can make glare from oncoming headlights considerably worse. Sensitivity to light can also heighten with age, making regular eye tests essential to ensure you can see the road clearly, especially when driving after dark.
Where possible, resist looking directly at the headlights of approaching vehicles, as this can make it more difficult for your eyes to readjust once they have passed. Instead, reduce your speed and try shifting your gaze slightly towards the left-hand edge of the road, using the road markings as a guide until the bright lights have gone and you have an unobstructed view of the road ahead.
