If you’ve recently driven at night and thought that headlights seem brighter, you’re not alone.
A new AAA survey reveals headlight glare is a growing concern among drivers: 6 in 10 drivers said glare is a problem after dark, and nearly three-quarters of those affected said it has worsened over the past decade.
“Several factors, including new headlight technologies and taller vehicle design, are contributing to growing driver frustration with headlight glare,” said Lauren Fabrizi, spokesperson for AAA Northeast. “The reality is that vehicle lighting technology has evolved faster than regulations. And while adaptive driving beam headlights — which automatically dim the high-beam when another vehicle approaches — are now permitted in the U.S., they are not yet available in mainstream vehicles.”
Most drivers (92%) who experience glare cite oncoming headlights as the primary cause. About one-third also report glare issues in their rearview or side mirrors.
Additional survey findings include:
- Drivers who wear prescription glasses (70%) experience more glare than those who do not (56%).
- Pickup truck drivers are less likely to report glare (41%) than drivers of other vehicle types (66%).
- Female drivers (70%) report glare more often than male drivers (57%).
- Only 9% of nighttime drivers report they have installed aftermarket LED headlights.
- Driver age and height do not show a statistically significant impact on likelihood to report experiencing an issue with glare.
To help reduce headlight glare and improve overall nighttime visibility, AAA recommends drivers:
- Ensure both headlights are clean, fully functional and of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) design.
- Avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights to maintain visibility.
- Visit a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility for professional headlight inspections, replacements and aim adjustments. Misaligned headlights can lead to poor visibility for both the driver of the vehicle as well as oncoming drivers.
AAA also supports the use of adaptive driving beam headlights (ADB). Previous AAA research showed that European vehicles equipped with ADB increased roadway lighting by as much as 86% compared to U.S. low-beam headlights.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing 6.9 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.