Reducing Headlight Glare
Table of Contents
Reducing Headlight Glare
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.
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.