If you have driven on the roads lately and found yourself struggling to see or needing to flip your rear-view mirror because of the glare from bright headlights, you're not alone.

Key points: RACQ says it is apparent HID lights in particular are of "constant concern" to drivers

RACQ says it is apparent HID lights in particular are of "constant concern" to drivers Car manufacturers are moving to new light technologies to save money and reduce emissions

Car manufacturers are moving to new light technologies to save money and reduce emissions Experts say there is little research into the dangers of bright headlights but it is an area of interest

We asked ABC Radio Brisbane listeners if they thought bright car headlights were increasingly becoming an issue for fellow road users and hundreds on social media told us it was.

Overwhelmingly, people said headlights are too bright but many thought the safety benefits of brighter beams far outweighed the negatives.

Brighter lights and blue tints

Queensland's peak motoring body, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), said it had not seen an increase in complaints but said it was apparent it was an issue of "constant concern" to drivers.

"[We haven't seen an increase] from month-to-month or year-to-year that I'm aware of, but it is a constant area of concern," Steve Spalding, RACQ's Head of Technical and Safety Policy, said.

Increasingly car manufacturers are making vehicles with LED or High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights which come across as brighter and often have a blue tint to them.

Not only do these lights provide better illumination than halogen lights, LEDs claim to consume less energy which translates into fuel savings and emissions reductions.

But the RACQ says HIDs and LEDs are typically the source of frustration for fellow road users.

"Newer vehicles with, particularly the HID headlamps, they are the ones that seem to be of most concern," Mr Spalding said.

"There's always general concern about being dazzled by lights and often it's about people using auxiliary or driving lights as well."

Technology outpacing legislation, experts say

The Australian Design Rules (ADR), the national standards for vehicle safety, set out guidelines which dictate the size and shape of a car's headlight beam as well as the amount of permissible glare.

Oftentimes it is the aim or position of the lights, not their wattage, which causes the glare — which is one reason why there is no maximum wattage specified in legislation.

What the ADR does require is cars equipped with HIDs to also have a self-levelling mechanism to ensure the headlights are always aimed at the ground.

It also requires the vehicle to be fitted with a headlight washer to minimise the build up of dirt and grime, which can affect how the light is dispersed.

Drivers who struggle with headlights at night are also urged to see their optometrist. ( Pexels.com )

Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios, from the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland, said the rules struggle to keep up with the pace of technology.

"All the vehicle standards are part of the Federal Government [legislation] so in Australia we don't allow vehicles that don't fit a particular standard," Dr Oviedo-Trespalacios said.

"However there is some flexibility because we know there is new technology and we know the legislation to not necessarily change as quickly as we want."

What to do when approaching vehicles with bright headlights Don't look directly at the headlights of an approaching vehicle — look to the left hand side of the road and make sure you also drive as near as possible to the left.

Don't look directly at the headlights of an approaching vehicle — look to the left hand side of the road and make sure you also drive as near as possible to the left. Slow down and, if necessary, pull over at a safe location as soon as possible and wait until your vision returns to normal.

Slow down and, if necessary, pull over at a safe location as soon as possible and wait until your vision returns to normal. Keep your vehicle's windscreen clean inside and outside, as it'll be easier to see at night.

Keep your vehicle's windscreen clean inside and outside, as it'll be easier to see at night. If you find it harder to see at night, get your eyes checked as difficulty with driving at night or in poor weather conditions is often one of the first signs that your vision isn't as good as it should be. Source: Royal Automobile Association Adelaide

Beware new technology

Dr Oviedo-Trespalacios said there was little evidence to support the notion that headlights are too bright, but conceded it appeared to be an emerging issue among drivers.

"It is very interesting and certainly something open to research but we do know some people do experience longer periods of blindness due to the change of lights on the road," he said.

Another issue of concern is lights that are retrofitted, or modified, which Dr Oviedo-Trespalacios said in some cases are "not necessarily legal".

"We need to be very careful with what kind of technology we are including and certainly that is a concern of the government and they work very heavily to prevent these kinds of situations," he said.

"We don't have a very clear understanding of the risk because it is new technology."

The penalties for drivers using lights on a vehicle that dazzle other road users vary from state to state, but in Queensland drivers can cop a $52 fine while in Western Australia drivers are fined $100 and lose 1 demerit point.

Some of the feedback received from ABC Radio Brisbane listeners:

Seems like any modern ute has lights like a weapons array from a spaceship and they are often on high beam especially if behind — Michael G

I absolutely agree that the LED headlights are far too bright to the point of blinding when driving toward the vehicles. If it's a 4WD it's worse because the vehicle is already high. I have to turn my rear view mirror to the side when the vehicle is behind me. — Charlie H

I cannot see at all until they go past a lot of the time. It's quite dangerous for other road users — Nicole S

I have driven thousands of kilometres at night and the benefits of LED's are fantastic. Truckies use them for a good reason, they reduce eye strain and fatigue. — Phil H

Yes they are blinding. And when you are on a country road with no street lights and a car with those lights passes on the other side it is virtually impossible to see for a split second. — Daniel W

These lights are often blinding. I have been forced to sometimes pull over to the side of the road to let the vehicle pass me. Other times I have had to push up my rear view mirror to avoid the lights. — Narelle C