A new survey has discovered growing irritation among drivers due to the bright glare emitted by LED headlights. Almost 90% of drivers had an opinion that the light the modern LED headlights produced was too bright and caused discomfort while driving.
The Blinding Glares of Modern Headlights
With newer vehicles coming equipped with LED (Light Emitting Diode) headlights, the praise continues to come for their energy efficiency and superior bright lighting, while complaints grow about their brightness. Many drivers report being temporarily blinded whenever they come head-on with another vehicle.
According to the survey, however, by a leading automotive safety organization:
- 87% of respondents said LED headlights are “too bright.”
- 75% said they had at one time been dazzled by oncoming high beams.
- 62% believed the glare increased accident risks.
What Makes the LED Headlights so Harsh?
LEDs, unlike halogen bulbs, give out cooler and whiter light and have a higher color temperature. This creates a better contrast in darkness, thereby appearing more glaring for the drivers coming from the opposite direction. In addition, many new large SUVs and trucks sit higher up on the road, making the headlamps for them almost at eye level for drivers in smaller cars.
Automakers tend to advocate that the LED technology increases visibility while driving but at the same time the visibility harms others on the roads. Countries like the UK apply much stricter laws as far as headlight brightness is concerned but in most other areas, there are no clear limits.
Safety Concerns and Calls for Regulation
Road safety advocates have hence charged the authorities with looking into headlight standards. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has previously warned that glare may impair a driver’s vision for a duration of up to five seconds-long enough to result in a bad accident.
As one safety expert puts it:” Drivers should not have to make sacrifices between seeing the road and blinding others.” “Manufacturers need to ensure that things are manufactured based on brightness consideration concerning fellow motorists.”
What Can Be Done?
- Automatic dimming of adjustable headlight beams upon detection of oncoming traffic.
- Tighter government limits on maximum permitted brightness.
- More enhanced standards for headlight alignment to prevent upward glare.
Until this happens, here’s what the advice would be for drivers:
- Be looking toward the roadside while facing bright incoming headlights.
- Make sure that their headlights are aligned correctly.
- Using anti-glare mirrors will lessen their discomfort.
The Bottom Line
While providing better visibility for the user, LED headlights emit excessive light, posing safety hazards to everyone else. Almost 9 in 10 drivers are asking for such legislation change, so it’s probably about time that automakers and regulators began doing something about the problem before it leads to many more accidents.
