Some LED headlights can be painfully bright. Are they legal?
No you're not imagining it.
Headlights have gotten brighter, and people driving on dark roads since the start of Daylight Saving Time have felt the impact.
Before LED lights were introduced, many auto companies used halogen bulbs to light up the road, typically producing 900 to 1,000 lumens of light.
LED bulbs however produce from 3,600 to 4,500 lumens, a stark difference in lighting up obstacles in the road (including deer). The downside is that brighter lights produce more glare and make it difficult for people in other vehicles to see.
The problem isn't new. As early as 2004, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 30% of drivers experienced a "disturbing" nighttime glare when driving.
And since then headlights have gotten brighter, with more car companies opting for LED lights over halogen bulbs.
What are LED lights?
LED stands for light emitting diode, according to energystar.gov. LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the LEDs and the result is visible light.
How are halogen lamps different?
Like with incandescent light bulbs, the electrical current enters the socket and travels to a tungsten filament, heating up the filament to incandescence. Halogen light bulbs have tungsten filaments housed in a quartz capsule and filled with iodine and bromine gases.
Are LED headlights legal?
Generally, yes, LED headlights are legal in the U.S. and much of Europe. However, after-market headlights may not be.
Is there a limit to how bright headlights can be?
No, there is no limit at this time. The Soft Lights Foundation, a nonprofit group, says automakers should have petitioned the NHTSA for permission to use LEDs in lights, but never did.
"Due to the fact that no automaker submitted a petition to NHTSA for authorization to use LED technology, NHTSA did not publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and NHTSA has made no proposals to regulate the light intensity or blue wavelength light to match the requirements of LED technology," the foundation says.
The Soft Lights Foundation submitted a petition to NHTSA on Feb. 24, 2024, asking the agency to set an overall limit on intensity for headlights. NHTSA has not acted on the petition.
Has the government taken steps to address glare?
In 2022, the NHTSA issued a final rule after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was passed that allowed automakers to install adaptive driving beam headlights on new vehicles, which is already standard in Europe.
“NHTSA prioritizes the safety of everyone on our nation’s roads, whether they are inside or outside a vehicle. New technologies can help advance that mission,” said Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s deputy administrator in a news release. “NHTSA is issuing this final rule to help improve safety and protect vulnerable road users.”
ADB use automatic headlight beam switching technology to shine less light on occupied areas of the road and more light on unoccupied areas, according to the NHSTA.
Vehicle manufacturers are waiting for detailed specifications before starting to build and install these systems, to avoid misinterpretations and recalls, according to AAA.
What can drivers do to reduce glare from other vehicles?
Drivers who want to reduce brightness from other vehicles can purchase anti-glare film for their rear-view mirrors. Additionally drivers can adjust their side mirrors down reduce the glare from bright lights.
Some vehicles even have a night setting in their rear-view mirror. Drivers who have a lever under their mirror can pull it toward them to activate it.
Here are some tips from Wawanesa General Insurance Company to help deal with headlights that are too bright:
- Keep the windshield clean: Dirt on the windshield exacerbates the effect of bright headlights by scattering the incoming light.
- Look away: When faced with bright headlights coming toward you, avert your gaze to the right when it's safe to do so.
- Wear protective eyewear: Consider using night vision or other glasses designed for driving at night. Consult your eye doctor about the best glasses for your needs.