Dazzling headlight UK 2027 new rule update after BBC star death

Dazzling headlight UK 2027 new rule update after BBC star death Concern is rising that motorists are 'too frightened to go out' after dark because of the problem - and SUVs could be targeted Major changes to the law around dazzling headlights are set to come in next year - as news broke of the horrifying death of a BBC presenter after she was blinded while driving. Broadcaster Dame Jenni Murray died days after being involved in a car crash which happened when she was dazzled by headlights, an inquest was told. Dame Jenni, 75, was best known as the voice of BBChttps://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/dame-jenni-murray-car-crash-37599187 the programme for three decades and becoming the longest-serving presenter in its history. he died on March 12 this year after the collision in north London on March 4 2026, the inquest heard on Thursday. Dr Clare Morkane, a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital where Dame Jenni died after being admitted on March 4 said: “Jennifer had been driving when she became dazzled by vehicle lights and collided with two stationary vehicles. “Following the collision, Jennifer was unable to recall events, exited the vehicle independently and she was conveyed to hospital.” The Metropolitan Police investigated the crash but closed its investigation with no further action. The Department for Transport is to introduce new laws within two years which will make an impact on people being ‘dazzled’ by LED headlights. The change comes amid growing calls for new rules after figures showed four out of five drivers (82%) are concerned about being dazzled by vehicle headlights as evenings become darker earlier, according to a new RAC survey. A study by TRL has found that nearly all drivers in the UK said they thought headlights were too bright and that they have been dazzled by oncoming vehicles. The TRL study, commissioned by the the DfT, found 97% of people surveyed found they were regularly or sometimes distracted by oncoming vehicles and 96% thought most or some headlights were too bright. Dr Shaun Helman, who led the research, said the findings provide “compelling evidence” that lights’ glare is a “genuine issue for UK drivers”. ast week, the government said it plans to take a closer look at the design of cars and headlamps, on the back of concerns that dazzling lights were causing road safety issues. New measures look set to be included in the government’s upcoming Road Safety Strategy - with responses to cousultations due to be published soon. TRL’s data suggests that LED and whiter headlamps may be linked to glare and that drivers might find their whiteness harder to cope with. Of those surveyed, 33% said they had either stopped driving or are driving less at night because of lights, while another 22% said they would like to drive less at night but have no choice. A total of 1,850 drivers, matched to the age and gender split of the country’s licence holding population, were surveyed for their views. Key LED lighting changes - New requirements taking effect in September 2027 for mandatory automatic headlamp levelling - Crackdown of sale of illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs with £1,000 fines - Amendments for international vehicle lighting regulations planned Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood said in a debate on the issue: “We know that lots of people raise concerns about headlamp glare, and we are told that some drivers, as has been mentioned, choose not to drive at night because of its effects. While police collision statistics do not indicate an increase in collisions caused by headlamp glare, the issue can lead to social isolation, which impacts on people’s wellbeing and their ability to undertake everyday tasks.” Initial results from the research indicated that specific types of vehicles - SUVs - are more responsible for glare than others due to them being higher on the road. He said: “As might be expected, the results indicated that road geometry, in combination with brightness, is a key factor in glare events. The second most important factor, however, was identified to be vehicle type, suggesting that certain vehicle characteristics may be contributing to problems of glare. "Given the findings of this innovative and groundbreaking research, the Department plans further research examining a range of vehicle makes and models, aimed at identifying what vehicle design factors may be responsible for increased glare. That can then be used to generate proposals for amendments to the international vehicle lighting regulations at the United Nations.” Simon Lightwood replied: “It is important that we are evidence-led, hence the commissioning of further research to drill down on the cause and effect. In parallel, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which leads for the Department on market surveillance of vehicles and automotive components, has stepped up its activities to intercept the sale of illegal retrofit headlamp bulbs for on-road use, which we believe is one of the contributing factors. Anyone caught could face a fine of £1,000. “The Department is also an active member of the Euro NCAP consumer information programme, which assesses a range of vehicle characteristics to determine a vehicle’s safety rating. Work is under way to develop a new vision protocol for 2029, which is planned to include an assessment of vehicle lighting systems to ensure that they provide forward vision while minimising the risk of dazzle for some road users.”