Brighter Lights

Q: Are there national regulations on how bright headlights can be, and have they changed recently? More and more I find myself almost blinded by the lights of oncoming vehicles at night. That’s not true of all the cars I encounter, so I’m pretty sure it’s not a new vision issue I’ve developed, but that headlights are getting brighter. A: I contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the answer. And here’s what a spokesman offered: “There are national limits for how bright head lamps on new vehicles can be for both the upper and lower beam.” Those limits apply to replacement headlamps as well, he wrote in an email. The safety standards for headlamps have been developed to balance a driver’s “seeing-distance needs while limiting glare to other drivers,” he wrote. That said, the federal agency is aware, and has long been aware, that “discomfort glare” inflicted on other drivers can be a byproduct of headlights, particularly those that, while within the brightness parameters, provide the greatest illumination of the roadway. It’s an issue that has been researched for years. As carmakers continue to take steps to make vehicles that provide better and better illumination, even while staying within the standards, oncoming vehicles are undoubtedly experiencing somewhat more glare. As one researcher concluded, there is “inherent conflict between visibility (in the vehicle one is driving) and glare (inflicted on others).” The NHTSA spokesman referred me to the aforementioned study and several others relating to headlights and glare (all at least eight years old). One study found that several factors can contribute to the level of discomfort and reduced visibility from oncoming vehicle headlamps drivers might experience, including the “lamp type (tungsten-halogen or high-intensity discharge [HID]), lamp mounting height, headlamp optical system type (whether headlamps use reflector or projector systems), and the alignment of lamps.” Interestingly, those of us who are troubled by glare are not the majority, but neither are we alone. Thirty-one percent of drivers in one study characterized oncoming glare as “disturbing;” 57 percent characterized it as “noticeable but acceptable.” The NHSTA, the spokesman said, “continues to look at ways in which the federal lighting standard may provide increased safety for motorists.” What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.