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Reducing Headlight Glare

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Reducing Headlight Glare

Reducing Headlight Glare
Rainy day dazzled by oncoming headlights

Rainy day dazzled by oncoming headlights

Simple Night Driving Tips to Reduce Headlight Glare – A Yorkshire Driver’s Guide

If you’ve ever driven over the tops around Halifax on a dark winter evening, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say modern headlights can feel like a full-blown spotlight in your face.

Rain on the road, reflections bouncing everywhere, and an SUV coming round a bend with lights bright enough to light up the whole valley — it’s no wonder so many drivers say night driving isn’t what it used to be.

Following on from our recent article about dazzling modern headlights, I thought it would be useful to share some simple, practical tips that really do help reduce glare and make night driving safer and less stressful.

These aren’t technical tricks — just real-world advice that we see working every day.

1️⃣ Don’t Look Directly at Oncoming Lights: Reducing Headlight Glare

This is the oldest trick in the book, but many people forget it.

When a car approaches, avoid staring straight at the headlights. Instead, focus slightly towards the left edge of the road or the white line. You still keep your lane position, but you avoid taking the full glare in your eyes.

On narrow Calderdale roads with stone walls and tight bends, this makes a big difference.

Rainy day dazzled by oncoming headlights
Rainy day dazzled by oncoming headlights

2️⃣ Keep Your Windscreen Spotlessly Clean: Reducing Headlight Glare

You’d be surprised how much extra glare comes from a dirty windscreen.

Even a thin film of grease, dust or condensation spreads the light and makes it appear brighter than it really is.

Quick checklist:

  • Clean inside and outside regularly
  • Use proper glass cleaner (not just a quick wipe)
  • Replace worn wiper blades
  • Top up screenwash — especially in winter

In the garage we often find drivers blaming headlights when the real issue is a misty or dirty screen.

3️⃣ Check Your Own Headlights Are Correctly Aligned

This one is often overlooked.

If your lights are aimed too high, you’ll dazzle other drivers — and if they’re too low, you won’t see properly yourself.

A quick alignment check during a service or MOT can make a world of difference.

At Pellon Tyres we see this regularly, especially after:

  • Bulb changes
  • Suspension repairs
  • Heavy loads in the boot
  • Minor bumps or potholes

4️⃣ Slow Down Slightly in Heavy Glare: Reducing Headlight Glare

There’s no shame in easing off the throttle when visibility drops.

Wet roads around Halifax and the surrounding hills reflect light badly, and glare can hide potholes, cyclists or pedestrians.

Dropping your speed by just a few miles per hour gives your eyes more time to adjust and react.

5️⃣ Use Your Rear-View Mirror Correctly

Most modern mirrors have an anti-dazzle setting — and many drivers forget it exists.

If headlights behind you are blinding, flick the mirror to night mode. It cuts down glare instantly and reduces eye strain.

Small thing — big difference.

6️⃣ Avoid Driving Tired

Headlight glare feels much worse when you’re tired.

Your pupils react slower, and your eyes struggle to recover after being dazzled.

If you’ve been working all day and driving home late, take a moment before setting off:

  • Give your eyes a quick rest
  • Clean your glasses if you wear them
  • Keep the car cabin cool and fresh

It sounds simple, but it helps.

7️⃣ Keep Your Eyes Tested: Reducing Headlight Glare

Many drivers don’t realise how much night vision changes as we get older.

A routine eye test can pick up small issues that make glare feel stronger, even if your daytime vision seems fine.

Opticians often recommend anti-glare coatings on lenses for regular night drivers — worth considering if you spend a lot of time on the road after dark.

8️⃣ Be Careful With High Beams Yourself

We all get caught out now and then.

On quiet country lanes it’s easy to leave full beam on for a second too long. But dipping early helps everyone.

A good habit is to dip as soon as you see:

  • Another vehicle’s lights
  • Reflections in road signs
  • A bend where someone could appear

A Calderdale Reality Check

Let’s be honest — driving at night around here isn’t always easy.

Steep hills, narrow roads, rain that seems never-ending in winter, and now modern headlights brighter than ever.

But most of the time it isn’t one single thing causing the problem — it’s a combination of glare, weather and tired eyes.

A few small adjustments can make night driving feel far less stressful.

Final Thoughts from Pellon Tyres

Modern headlights are probably here to stay, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adapt and make driving safer.

The key is preparation:

  • Clean glass
  • Correctly adjusted lights
  • Slower pace when needed
  • Good driving habits

Sometimes the simplest tips are the ones that work best — especially on those dark Yorkshire evenings when everyone just wants to get home safely.

Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

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Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres
Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

A Grubby Vito Van, a Free Tyre Check, and a Smart Choice of Falken Winter Tyres

(Approx. 1,000 words)

Yesterday turned out to be one of those classic workshop days at Pellon Tyre & Autocentre here in Halifax. If you know our place, you’ll know it never stays quiet for long, especially in winter when folk start worrying about the roads freezing over Mixenden Moor or black ice creeping along the tops above Sowerby Bridge.

Anyway, just after dinner, a rather grubby-looking Mercedes-Benz Vito CDi rolled in for one of our free tyre checks. The van looked like it had spent the morning tackling every muddy track in Calderdale — the sort of motor that’s clearly out grafting every single day. You can almost tell a van’s story just by how the muck sticks to it.

Adam, sharp as ever, got stuck in straightaway. He didn’t need long to spot that the Vito’s front tyres were well past their best. Worn, cracked and badly lacking tread — exactly the sort of thing that can ruin your day when you hit a frosty bend on the way up to Queensbury.

The van’s owner didn’t mess about. Once Adam explained the situation, he made a cracking decision: a pair of Falken winter tyres. And to be honest, he probably saved himself a lot of grief over the coming months.

Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres
Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

A Halifax Winter Is No Joke: Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Those of us who live here in the Calder Valley know exactly how fast the weather can turn. One minute you’re driving through drizzle, the next you’re dealing with snow blowing sideways across the A629. Anyone who’s been caught out on Blackstone Edge or even the climb through Wheatley knows that standard summer tyres just don’t cut it once temperatures dip.

That’s why we always encourage drivers to think ahead. A good set of winter tyres can be the difference between getting home safely — or ending up stuck on a cold verge waiting for recovery.

A Bit of History: The Mercedes-Benz Vito

The Mercedes-Benz Vito has become a firm favourite among tradespeople, delivery drivers, and anyone who needs a van that works as hard as they do. First introduced in the mid-1990s, it filled the gap between the smaller Mercedes Citan and the big, beefy Sprinter. The idea was simple: build a tough, reliable mid-sized van that could handle Europe’s most demanding roads.

Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of Vitos through our doors — plumbers, sparkies, couriers, caterers, builders — the lot. The CDi diesel engines especially earned a reputation for strong pulling power, good fuel economy and impressive durability. Perfect for hauling gear up and down Halifax’s steep hills, from King Cross Bank to the climbs above Northowram.

What makes the Vito popular?

  • Solid build quality
  • Loads of room in the back
  • Comfortable cab for long days
  • Engines that seem to last forever
  • Great handling even when fully loaded

It’s no surprise they’re dotted all over Calderdale. They’re one of those vans that quietly get the job done — no fuss, no nonsense, no drama.

Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres
Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Where Falken Tyres Began: Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Now, the Vito driver choosing Falken winter tyres was a wise move, and the brand’s history explains why.

Falken started life in Japan in 1983, originally created by Sumitomo Rubber Industries as a performance tyre brand aimed at motorsport enthusiasts. Before long, Falken tyres were appearing in racing events around the world — drifting competitions, endurance races and track days. If a tyre can survive that lot, it’ll more than cope with a frosty Halifax morning.

By the early 1990s, Falken had made their way to Europe. Drivers quickly appreciated their blend of quality, innovation and good value for money. Unlike some premium brands, Falken focuses heavily on research and development – especially when it comes to winter tyres.

Their tread designs, rubber compounds and sipes are engineered to grip snow, slush and wet winter roads. That’s exactly what you want when you’re navigating icy corners in places like Mytholmroyd or Ripponden.

Here at Pellon Tyres, we’ve fitted loads of Falken winters over the years, and the feedback is always the same:

“They grip better, they feel safer, and they last.”

Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres
Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Falken Winter Tyres: Ideal for Calderdale Roads

The Falken Eurowinter range is particularly suited to our area. Halifax sits high up on the Pennine ridge, surrounded by valleys, moorland and exposed roads that freeze earlier and stay icy longer than many other regions.

Benefits of Falken winter tyres include:

  • Better grip in cold, wet and snowy weather
  • Shorter braking distances on icy roads
  • Improved stability going uphill
  • Better traction pulling away in slush
  • A more confident feel when cornering
  • Excellent value compared to premium brands

They’re exactly the kind of tyre you want when you’re setting off early from Illingworth, heading through Shelf or braving the road over to Littleborough.

A Happier, Safer Vito Driver: Vito Van for Falken Winter Tyres

Once the tyres were fitted, balanced and checked, the Vito left our yard much safer than it arrived. And I reckon the driver will thank himself the first time he comes down a frosty hill and the van actually stops where it’s supposed to.

We always say — the only part of your vehicle that touches the road is the tyres. They’re not something you want to gamble on, especially in a place like Calderdale, where winter can turn nasty at a moment’s notice.

If you’re unsure about your tyres, just pop in for a free tyre check. No pressure, no hard sell — just honest advice. You can read more about winter tyre options on our website here:
https://www.pellontyres.co.uk

And if you fancy a cosy winter escape once the snow melts, have a look at our Lucky Paws Holiday Home near Flamborough Head — perfect for spring and summer breaks when the Yorkshire coast comes alive.