I read a very interesting article recently on the The Ringer website about car headlights and the controversy over how much brighter they have become. It’s a long read, but worth the time if you’ve been like me noticing lately that it seems as if more and more people are driving with their high beams on. Be forewarned, there is some colorful language in the piece!
https://www.theringer.com/2024/12/03/tech/headlight-brightness-cars-accidents
Here’s a quick synopsis:
The article explores the growing frustration among drivers with excessively bright LED car headlights, highlighting a community of activists who are challenging the trend through their subreddit. This grassroots effort combines venting, activism, and engineering solutions to address headlight glare, which they see as part of a broader issue of “antihuman” automotive design.
Key points include:
Rise of LED Headlights: LED headlights, praised for their efficiency and longevity, have become standard in modern vehicles but are criticized for causing excessive glare. The lack of updated regulations for LEDs by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) exacerbates the problem.
Community Advocacy: Activists are using online forums and grassroots campaigns to push for stricter headlight brightness regulations.
Industry and Regulation Issues: Automakers have been exploiting loopholes in outdated regulations, while the insurance industry-backed IIHS prioritizes brightness over reducing glare, furthering the “arms race” for brighter headlights.
Challenges of Measurement: Measuring the dangers of headlight glare is difficult, as accidents caused by glare are often underreported or misattributed. Misaligned headlights, vehicle size, and blue-white LED hues also contribute to the problem.
Proposed Solutions: Suggestions range from limiting headlight brightness to adopting adaptive driving beam (ADB) technology, which adjusts light to avoid blinding other drivers. However, ADB’s implementation in the U.S. is stalled due to regulatory hurdles.
Philosophical Debate: While proponents argue that brighter lights improve road safety by illuminating hazards, critics see the trend as emblematic of a “selfish” driving culture that prioritizes individual convenience over collective safety.