Bradford drivers are struggling more with headlight glare on the roads - with many suffering migraines and a fear of travelling at night-time.

The RAC has called on the Government to fund an independent study into bright headlights on cars. 

The motoring company believes headlights appear brighter on modern cars because their use of LED, rather than traditional halogen bulbs.

This creates a more intense and focused beam, which improves a driver’s view but can be to the detriment of other road users.

Other potential factors include badly aligned headlights and the increase in the number of cars that sit higher on the road, such as SUVs.

It comes after the RAC’s poll showed more than four out of five drivers affected by headlight glare say the problem is getting worse.

'I avoid driving at night'

T&A readers branded the bright headlights “dangerous” and compared them to driving with full beams on.

Christine Kearsley said: “I have been blinded a few times with these. They are dangerous.”

Gemma Dowen said: “I avoid driving at night now I only have a little car so I’m low down which makes it worse, it’s ridiculous.”

Fiona Paterson, who works as a bus driver, said: “It happens every night without fail. What's actually worse for me personally is people sat in their cars parked up at the side with their lights on, facing oncoming traffic. Don't even need them on. Please stop doing this.”

'It's getting worse'

Alan Chippendale said: “Without doubt it’s getting worse I drive over Baildon Moor to get to work and home and sometimes it’s like other drivers have full beam on.”

Alex Luty said: “Worst thing is that I think the drivers are oblivious to it. It's only a matter of time until somebody hits a pedestrian or cyclist on their nearside because they're shadowed by an oncoming car headlight.”

Lisa White said she has nearly driven off the edge of Saddleworth Moors and into the abyss a few times because of “blinding headlights coming towards me”.

“They need to be banned,” Lisa wrote. 

“So so dangerous, I have to slow right down until they have passed.”

Kate Boustead said: “I’ve stopped driving at night because I can’t see which means they are limiting my social life.”

Frankie Tiga Edwards said headlights are “far too bright these days”.

Night driving glasses?

Emma Lister bought some night driving glasses to minimise dazzling.

“While I look like a lunatic wearing what looks like sunglasses at night they do work,” she said.

Wendy Wright also bought some yellow lensed glasses and said they are “well worth investing in”.

John Mellor said: “I am finding night driving increasingly challenging.”

'Sets off my migraine'

Carrie Howlter said: “I drive along dark winding lanes on my commute and it definitely feels dangerous sometimes, especially on the hilly bits. It's all well and good the drivers saying ‘the beams dip when they sense a car’, if we're both cresting a hill with a bend, I'm blinded before your car knows mine's there."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Lisa Marie Murgatroyd said: “Really bad, feel like their lights are on full beam. I can’t drive on a night much now, just blinds me and I’m having to slow right down, feel like it throws me off course. Something needs to be done.”

Lisa Atkinson said: “Yes it is definitely getting worse, I've had to slow down a few times when someone has had strong headlights.”

Linda McFarlane said: “It appears to be a thing on the newer and larger vehicles. It is like they have the full beam on and which if, like I do, have standard size vehicle it glares directly into the line of sight. 

“Always loved driving and night time driving hasn't bothered me until the last few years. Vehicle vanity springs to mind because it surely isn't for the environment or health.”

Lenny Brown said: “They can make your eyes water and sting, and after the blinding effect you can still see the vision, it’s left in your eyes after passing the bright headlamps, if it’s dipped and coming downhill it's even worse.

“Those bulbs should be banned and even before their banned the actual sellers should stop selling them as they're dangerous to oncoming traffic as well as pedestrians who may be crossing the road at the point of the dazzlement of the innocent driver, RAC and AA should also lobby parliament to ban them asap.”

Hilary Mary Collier said: “It sets my migraine off, we don’t even get a break through the day, as headlights are always on.”

Samantha Ford said: “I don't have a car, but when I'm walking to my local shop cars that pass me on the roads there lights can be too bright, a bit dazzling when your wearing glasses and are trying to cross the road safely without being blinded by the car lights coming down the road.”

Michala Ryan said: “My partner has been dazzled a few times recently. Morning school run and afternoon run.”

Sarah Hearn added: “Horrendous and they’re so dangerous, plus if you’ve someone behind you for any length of time I get a headache.”