LED headlight glare 'significantly' reduced with little-known BGE mirror method
LED headlights are negatively affecting most drivers but there's a method proven to reduce their blinding glare.
Motoring experts have shared a 'simple fix' to combat the intense glare from LED headlights. A recent poll found that 57 per cent of drivers think the bulbs are too bright and a quarter agree that they make it harder to be able to see while driving at night.
And the issue, which is being looked into by the Department of Transport, is a bigger problem for older motorists. A recent poll by Euro Car Parts found over a third (65 per cent) said that the blinding lights from other vehicles affect their vision while driving after dark.
And another survey by the AA had similar results. They found that three quarters of their members said that LED lights on vehicles are among the factors causing them to be 'blinded' while driving.
The RAC also conducted a poll, which showed more than four out of five of drivers (85%) are affected by headlight glare and said the problem is getting worse.
But experts have suggested that an easy tweak to mirrors can substantially reduce the glare making it easier for those affected to drive safely.
The little known Blindspot and Glare Elimination (BGE) method for setting mirrors is a 'simple fix' that anyone can do. And it's effective for drivers bothered by LED headlight glare from behind their vehicle.
Thomas McKinley, Electrical & Engine Category Manager at Euro Car Parts, explained: "A simple fix many drivers don't know about is the Blindspot and Glare Elimination (BGE) mirror setting.
"This involves angling your side mirrors further out than usual, usually by about 15 degrees, so you can only just see the side of your own car. This helps widen your field of vision and reduces glare from headlights behind you."
He explained how to set up your mirrors using the BGE method but said that after doing this, drivers should take some time to get used to it.
Thomas said: "In order to set this up properly, lean your head against the driver's window to set the left mirror, adjusting it so you can barely see the side of your vehicle, then lean to the centre of the car to adjust the right.
"Return to your usual driving position and you shouldn't be able to see the side of your car in the mirrors. Just be careful after making these adjustments, as the new view can take a bit of getting used to, so it's worth practising somewhere quiet first."
He also said that the BGE mirror method has another added benefit as well as reducing the glare from LED headlights.
He added: "As well as helping to reduce glare, BGE means that passing vehicles move smoothly from your rearview mirror to your side mirrors, then into your peripheral vision, which helps to reduce your blind spots.'
Experts at Vertu said this mirror method can 'significantly' reduce glare from LED headlights. They said: "Blind spots are one of the most overlooked hazards in everyday driving. Most people instinctively position their side mirrors to see the flanks of their car, but that angle can catch and reflect direct light from headlights behind you straight into your eyes.
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"To combat this, adjust your mirrors outward by 15 degrees or until the edge of your car is barely visible. This changes the angle at which light hits and reflects off the mirror, meaning those intense beams from the car behind are more likely to reflect away from your direct line of sight.
"This doesn't eliminate glare entirely, but it significantly reduces the intensity and direct impact, making night driving far more comfortable."
Other ways to combat the glare from these type of headlamps include dimming your dashboard which helps your eyes adjust better to the lights and keeping windows and mirrors clean.
The glare from LED headlights is currently being looked into by the UK government after pressure from the RAC and the Royal College of Optometrists. The findings will be reported in the summer.
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