The Headlight Headache
- Selina Paul
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
If oncoming headlights have been feeling more like stadium lights while you’re driving, don’t worry, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Today’s vehicle headlights are brighter, bluer, and more blinding than ever before.
What’s Changed?
Light-emitting diode or LED headlights are making their mark as the new standard in auto design. Both cost and energy efficient, these bulbs are quickly replacing the warm yellow tone of older halogen headlights with the stronger bluish-white glow that you’ve probably seen light up the road – and everything else around.
Compared to traditional headlights, LEDs are designed to be safer, producing a more concentrated beam with farther-reaching forward illumination. This helps keep drivers going at high speeds from overdriving their headlights and lets them see further ahead.
Yet while those with LED headlights are getting a safer and better view of the road, it seems drivers on the receiving end of these beams are suffering the opposite effect.
Experts say the headlights on newer vehicles are getting brighter, smaller and bluer – a combination of things that increases a particular kind of ‘discomfort glare’.
Driving Made Difficult
Complaints about headlight glare have been steadily growing as drivers find themselves faced with excessively brightly lights when encountering oncoming traffic or attempting to use their mirrors at night.
For drivers out after dark, the rise of LED headlights has created a new set of challenges. The intense glare of LEDs often forces drivers to squint, look away from the road, or even shut their eyes briefly – all of which are dangerous reactions, especially at high speeds. Similarly, that sudden burst of brightness can also obscure road hazards, make it harder to process important visual cues, or leave drivers momentarily blinded. Even a split second of panic or visual impairment significantly increases the risk of an accident while driving.
A recent survey confirmed that many drivers are struggling with the prevalence of LED lights on the road. Many respondents admit they have less desire to drive at night, while others even say they avoid night driving altogether.
Some drivers also confess to feeling less safe on the road given their experience with blinding headlights.
Design Flaws
It’s not just that headlight beams are getting brighter; the increasing number of larger vehicles on the road also seems to be factor in night visibility. More consumers are opting for vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs, which tend to have headlights that sit higher up. Unfortunately for lower riding vehicles, like the standard hatchback, this means those bright LEDs can shine directly into the driver’s line of sight.
Problems of glare are also worsened by the fact that owners of older vehicles, who want their car to look newer, tend to swap out their halogen bulbs for LEDs. The issue is that halogen lighting systems aren't designed for LED’s multi-directional light production; creating an unfocused beam and scattered light, which results in excess glare for other drivers.
Driving at Night
For many it’s not an option to cut back on night driving, especially during months when it gets darker earlier in the day. The upcoming end of Daylight Savings Time in the Northern Hemisphere means shorter days are approaching, and drivers will be using their headlights more often.
While you can’t control the brightness of other vehicles’ headlights, there are some things you can do to make night driving easier. Be sure to keep your vehicle’s windshield clean, as a dirty windshield can scatter light and cause glare to appear worse. When you see bright LED beams ahead on the road, avoid looking straight at them by focusing on the right edge of the lane and following the white lines until the glare passes.
It's easy to notice glare from other drivers, but it’s just as important to be aware of how your own headlights may be impacting others on the road. When driving at night, take a moment to ensure you’re not using your high beams unnecessarily, and regularly check your headlights are aimed correctly.
Driving at night can be difficult, especially in low visibility conditions, so it’s important that you do your part to keep everyone safe.
To read the articles that inspired this blog, click here:
Comments