Up to 98% of drivers experience glare. On November 7th, check your headlights for free at 1600 stations!

In the article:

• Why poorly adjusted headlights pose a threat to all road users?
• What lighting defects are most commonly detected by technicians during inspections?
• Where can you check your headlights for free and improve driving safety?

Good headlights mean greater safety!

With the arrival of autumn, drivers are on the roads more often in darkness. Rain, fog, and earlier dusk mean that proper functioning of headlights has a direct impact on the safety of all road users. For this reason, another edition of the nationwide campaign “Your Headlights – Our Safety,” organized by the Police and the Institute of Road Transport, will take place on November 7th.

Recall that over 1600 vehicle inspection stations across Poland are participating in this campaign, where drivers can have their headlamps, light sources, and high beam settings checked for free.

A problem faced by almost every driver

Studies conducted by the Institute of Road Transport show that as high as 98 percent of drivers report being blinded by other road users. This indicates that improperly adjusted or faulty headlamps remain a common issue on Polish roads.

As Dr. Piotr Kaźmierczak, head of ITS’s Photometry Research Laboratory, emphasizes, many drivers mistakenly assume that brighter lights always mean greater safety. Yet a driver blinded by oncoming lights can themselves become the cause of a dangerous situation. The expert points out that lights should be directed at the road in the proper manner, and regular checks of headlight settings are essential for both one’s own safety and that of other road users.

According to Piotr Kaźmierczak, drivers should also continuously monitor the quality of lighting ahead of their vehicle. If high beams only provide visibility over a short stretch of the road, the time available for reaction is significantly reduced, which may prevent the vehicle from stopping safely in front of an obstacle.

It’s Not Just a Burnt-Out Bulb

Experts point out that lighting issues are not limited to burnt-out bulbs. As Dr. Paweł Dziedziak from the Institute of Road Transport reminds us, four out of ten of the most common causes of failed vehicle inspections relate to exterior lighting.

The most frequently detected defects include cracked lenses, water in headlights, improperly installed bulbs, and the use of unapproved light sources. Such problems not only reduce the driver’s visibility but often also cause glare for oncoming drivers.

ITS experts emphasize that even modern LED headlights or advanced adaptive lighting systems do not eliminate the need for regular inspections. As a vehicle is used, its suspension parameters change, light components wear out, and dirt or minor damage can reduce the effectiveness of the headlights.

Safety starts with good visibility

Of course, the police also pay attention to the importance of proper lighting. Robert Opas, commissioner from the Road Traffic Bureau of the National Police, reminds that in autumn, vehicle headlights become particularly crucial due to declining visibility.

Accident data shows that October was the month with the highest number of road incidents last year. Similar poor figures apply to November and December as well. According to police officials, poor technical condition of lighting systems may have contributed to some of these incidents or even caused them.

That’s why the campaign organizers encourage drivers to take advantage of November 7th for free headlight checks, especially since it’s a small effort that can lead to better visibility, greater driving comfort, and above all, a higher level of safety on the roads.

Oskar Włostowski