Over a third of motorists (34%) avoid non-essential journeys in the dark, highlighting the challenges for many drivers at this time of year.
To better understand their concerns, Motorpoint surveyed 2,000 UK car owners about their driving habits, headlight maintenance and confidence on the road.
The research found that almost 11 million motorists avoid unfamiliar routes when driving in the dark, based on the number of licensed cars on the road.
When asking drivers how they adapt their driving habits in darker conditions:
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34% avoid making non-essential journeys in the dark
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31% avoid unfamiliar routes when driving in the dark
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17% change when they make journeys during autumn/winter so they don’t have to drive when it’s dark
As many motorists adapt their driving habits in autumn and winter, the research also suggests some drivers may lack confidence around headlight maintenance and keeping safe on the road:
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Over a quarter (27%) wouldn’t know how to check whether their headlights are correctly aligned
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Over a quarter (26%) said they worry about whether their own headlights may be dazzling other road users
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A fifth of drivers (19%) said they were not confident that they would know whether the bulbs fitted to their headlights are road-legal
To help drivers become more informed on headlight maintenance and reduce the chance of dazzling other road users, Motorpoint’s resident motoring expert, Tim Rodie, shares his advice:
Keep your headlights dipped
“Headlight glare happens when a vehicle’s main lights give off a blinding brightness. It’s more of an issue from October to March, when a lot more journeys take place in the dark
“Using your main beam improves visibility when driving on unlit roads, but it should only be used when the road ahead is clear. It can be dangerous to use your main beam when other drivers are around, and you could cause accidents. Motorists who dazzle other road users are at risk of fines up to £5,000, so it’s best to keep your headlights dipped on main roads.”
Be wary of aftermarket LED headlights
“Many newer UK cars are fitted with LED headlights as standard because they offer improved visibility and last longer than traditional halogen bulbs. If you’ve had aftermarket LED bulbs fitted, make sure they comply with UK regulations.
“If you think they’re too bright, I’d recommend getting them checked at a garage to make sure you aren’t leaving yourself at risk of being fined up to £1,000 for having lights that don’t meet official European standards.”
Know how to check headlight alignment
“An easy way to check your headlight alignment is to park facing a wall and switch on your dipped headlights. The beams should be level and even, and angled slightly downwards to shine the road ahead.
“If the beams look uneven or other drivers regularly flash at you, have them checked by a garage. An adjustment usually only takes a few minutes.”
