Of all the changes that could be made in the name of fighting climate change, it’s hard to imagine something more hazardous than making streets darker at night. Yet that’s exactly what the U.K. is about to do.
Although only one-quarter of travel by car occurs between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m., 40% of crashes with fatal or serious injuries occur in this time frame, according to Britain’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. This percentage would be higher if not for streetlamps that increase visibility for both pedestrians and drivers, reducing the risk of nighttime crashes.
Despite this, the U.K. intends to remove up to 1.5 million lampposts, replacing them with dimmer lighting alternatives.
Why? It’s part of Britain’s broader efforts to cut carbon emissions by 81% from 1990 levels by 2035, a goal announced last month by Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
A pilot project in Yorkshire, part of a $38 million decarbonization initiative led by the Department for Transport, may shape the future of road visibility in Britain. The trial involves removing hundreds of streetlamps on two major roads and replacing them with road studs, bollards with integrated lighting and footway lighting.
While the switch from streetlamps to dimmer lighting alternatives will avoid complete darkness, it will still lead to reduced illumination on the roads, diminishing visibility for drivers and increasing the risk of nighttime crashes. A Dutch study on the effects of road lighting found that poor road lighting is strongly associated with higher crash rates.
Human vision worsens at night, making it harder to perceive depth, contrast and movement. This is especially concerning for older people, whose age-related conditions such as cataracts impair their ability to navigate dimly light environments.
Moreover, violent and property crimes are higher in areas without proper street lighting. According to Britain’s College of Policing, violent and property crimes are 21% lower in areas with improved street lighting than those without.
Despite these risks, Yorkshire plans to move forward with this project to reduce carbon emissions and cut energy costs. Perry Hazell, president of the Institution of Lighting Professionals, justifies the initiative by stating that “headlights have now improved in cars.”
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Not everyone can afford new vehicles with modern headlights, however. Older cars are still being driven, and the government should not expect drivers to buy new cars simply because of the cost of streetlamps. The U.K. government is penny-wise and pound-foolish, as the saying goes.
It’s not only Yorkshire but other counties such as Cornwall and Oxfordshire that have plans to turn off or dim streetlights. In London, its council announced that it must dim streetlights to reduce energy expenses. But dimming or replacing streetlamps does little to address the root cost issue—Britain’s electricity cost is one of the highest globally.
Instead of reducing or dimming streetlamps, the U.K. should prioritize improving lighting in areas where visibility is insufficient for drivers. This safety-focused approach would increase visibility for everyone, particularly Britain’s older adults, and reduce crime. Streetlamps should be improved for the sake of safety—not to reduce carbon emissions that will have a negligible impact on global temperature.
Most would agree that having actual streetlights, especially in rural areas, is necessary for the safety of anyone on the road. Nighttime driving is always a danger, but proper street lighting makes it safer for drivers and pedestrians alike.
This piece originally appeared in The Washington Times
