§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the conclusions of the research project sponsored by his Department into the safe limits for headlamp glare; and if he will make a statement on the action the Government intend to take in the light of the conclusions of the report. [163152]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe research was carried out by ICE Ergonomics Ltd. Copies of the "Vehicle Lighting: Headlamp Glare and Driver Vision" summary report have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
The Department for Transport is actively involved in developing international standards for improved vehicle lighting and will continue to monitor proposals for new headlamp regulations and to oppose them where there is a possibility of increased glare.
Research is currently being carried out into headlamp misalignment as a cause of annual roadworthiness test failure for heavy goods vehicles. The results will be used to consider how the incidence of poorly adjusted headlamps could be reduced.
The Department is also developing protocols for a Primary New Car Assessment Programme looking at lighting and other safety features. If these are adopted as a basis for a European consumer information programme, assessment of headlamps for glare will contribute to the vehicle's rating.