Headlights (Legal Limit Of Brightness)

[Angela's Dad]

Is there a legal limit for the brightness of headlights? Maybe it's me (getting older) but on the way home of a night I am frequently dazzled by the brightness of oncoming headlights. I don't believe everyone is so stupid as to not dip. I initially blamed the new vogue for "tanks", or 4x4's as they are often known, BMW, Audi, Jeep, take your pick. But even smaller (newer) cars are like it. so, is there a limit..?

[boxtops]

I'm not aware of a limit - bulbs are surely standard? but a lot of people drive on full beam, or their lights are misaligned to catch you full in the face, rather than to the road.

[RATTER15]

This may help http://www.powerbulbs.com/blog/2008/10/are-high-wattage-headlight-bulbs-legal/

I didnt read it all but I think there are limits to the wattage of driving lights.

[Angela's Dad]

Thanks. I might just have to invest in a pair of anti dazzle night driving specs..!

[roopower]

It annoys me how many drivers feel they need fog lights on all the time - except when it's foggy, of course , and then it's no lights at all.

[Buenchico]

Schedule 4 of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 imposes a minimum power rating of 30W but does not specify a maximum. Indeed, against 'Intensity' the Schedule specifically states 'No requirement'.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/4/made

[heathfield]

Headlights must be aligned and be of such brightness so as not to dazzle other motorists. This has been the law since the 1930s. These days this also applies to rear foglights. And fog lights must not be used when visibility is good. It's unfortunate, but as we get older, we are affected more by headlight glare, as any optician will tellyou.

https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158/lighting-requirements-113-to-116

[woofgang]

I find the halogen lights dazzling in misty or wet weather.

[tonyav]

Xenon headlights can be very bright.

[roopower]

It sounds as though I'm 'getting older' then. Oh dear.

[derekpara]

From experience I can tell you that the onset of cataracts can result in glare from headlights. It's more like a 'sunburst' efect with the glare spreading across the width of the road. Quite scary and definitely dangerous.

After removal of both cataracts the effect disappeared and I was amazed how much colour vision and clarity I had regained.

Not saying that IS your problem as I also agree that there seem to be a lot of misaligned headlights around.