US drivers are being blinded by overly bright headlights.
Researchers measured the luminance of 5,200 production headlights on 1,200 randomly selected cars across ten states. They found that 62% emitted light above the 1,500‑candela threshold set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When the same vehicles were equipped with adaptive‑beam systems, glare levels dropped to an average of 1,080 candela, a 28% reduction.
The findings matter because glare increases reaction times and crash risk, especially on rural highways where lighting is sparse. Reducing glare could lower the incidence of night‑time collisions, which currently account for 30% of fatal crashes.
Until regulations tighten or adaptive systems become standard, drivers will have to contend with a sea of blinding beams on the road.