Road Safety

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Questions (328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333)

Barry Ward

Question:

328. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the legislation or regulation that governs the permitted brightness levels of car lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9236/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

329. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport that governs the permitted brightness levels of motorbike lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9237/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

330. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the legislation or regulation that governs the permitted brightness levels of bicycle lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9238/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

331. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the legislation or regulation that governs the permitted brightness levels of electric scooter lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9239/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

332. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the merits of engaging with car suppliers in Ireland in relation to the potential dangers of having lights on cars that are too bright, causing potential danger to other road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9240/26]

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Barry Ward

Question:

333. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with the RSA or any other organisation in relation to the potential dangers of having lights on cars that are too bright, causing potential danger to other road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9241/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 328, 329, 330, 331, 332 and 333 together.

As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise the Deputy on the Regulations in place for type approval for headlights in vehicles and brightness levels of bicycle and e-scooter lights.

Headlights in vehicles in the EU are regulated by the European type-approval system under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/858/oj/eng, transposed by SI 556/2020 www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2020/si/556/made/en/print - European Union (Road Vehicles: Type-Approval and Market Surveillance) Regulations 2020.

I am aware that concerns have been expressed in some quarters in relation to the brightness of headlights, in particular LED and HID headlights. The use of headlights in the EU is regulated by the European type-approval system, which establishes the technical and safety standards required for a vehicle or component to be placed on the European market. Accordingly, if a headlight has been type-approved and entered into service, it is considered safe to use within the EU.

During roadworthiness testing, a vehicle lighting system is tested to ensure it is in working order and correctly aligned for the safe performance of the vehicle. Factors which can contribute to headlamp glare include misaligned aim, dirty or damaged headlamps or the use of incorrect bulbs or unapproved components.

As the standards for these lights are regulated at EU level, any engagement with vehicle suppliers would be based on the type approval required. However, as with any concerns over vehicle safety, I am willing to consider evidence-based policy reviews in relation to their use.

I understand that the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling is investigating this issue, and the EU Commission has confirmed that it is part of its newly established task force. Currently, the task force is conducting research on the causes of glare and will provide recommendations to the Working Party when the report is completed. Both I and the Department, with the Road Safety Authority, will be guided by that work.

For cycle lighting, all bicycles and e-bikes must be fitted with both reflectors and lights. The Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 www.irishstatutebook.ie/1963/en/si/0189.html set out the types of lights and reflectors that cyclists must use. A rear reflector must be displayed on bicycles and e-bikes at all times and must be visible up to a distance of 99 metres when vehicle headlights shine on it directly.

Lighting requirements for e-scooters are set out in the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations 2024, which require e-scooters to be fitted with lights visible from a distance of 50m and reflectors.

As for other vehicles, bicycle, e-bike and e-scooter lights must be switched on during "lighting-up time" (from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise). During those hours, they must have and use one yellow or white front light, and one red rear light, both visible from a reasonable distance.

Failure to use proper lighting on e-bikes, bicycles and e-scooters is an offence, and offenders may be issued with a fixed charge of €40 as set out in SI 526/2022 - Road Traffic Act 2010 (Part 3) (Fixed Charge Offences) Regulations 2022 www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/526/made/en/print. It is important to note that enforcement of road traffic legislation, including pedal cycle and e-scooter lighting, remains a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Question No. 329 answered with Question No. 328.

Question No. 330 answered with Question No. 328.

Question No. 331 answered with Question No. 328.

Question No. 332 answered with Question No. 328.

Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 328.

Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 323.