The dangers of dazzling lights on narrow roads

Sir – I agree with your correspondents about the bright new car headlights (Letters, January 17). They may be useful on major roads, but in the countryside it is very different.

As an advanced motorist, when I meet a car on a narrow road I worry about hitting either it or the kerb because of being dazzled. An even bigger worry is of being hit by the car behind as I slow, because the following driver has also been dazzled.

This has almost happened to me on several occasions, although I do not need glasses to read car number plates. Dr Keith Barnard-jones

Dorchester

Sir – I also worry about the dangers of over-bright, xenon-type headlights and fog lights on modern cars, and the apparent lack of control and legislation regarding their installation and use.

However, in the past few years this annoyance has grown to include the rear of vehicles, with unnecessary red LEDS strung across the width of the boot or tailgate. These are distracting to follow and have a slightly hypnotic effect on dark country roads, when you should actually be looking out for potholes and stray wildlife.

Two rear lights showing the width of a vehicle are quite sufficient, and all this additional illumination could be much better replaced with a dashboard warning light indicating if either of the two rear lights has failed.

I sincerely hope that common sense will take over in car manufacturers’ design departments. Andrew Montagu

London SW19

Sir – As flashing one’s headlights to thank motorists who have given way causes temporary blindness, when I want to show my appreciation I switch my headlights off for a second.

In addition, when sitting at traffic lights, I always wait with sidelights only to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

Such simple gestures; such good results. Margaret Stewart

Burnham-on-sea, Somerset