By Tom Murphy
We've been hearing about the problem of headlight glare for more than 30 years, since automakers started using brighter xenon-based high-intensity discharge headlamps as an alternative to conventional halogen bulbs. When the industry transitioned to LED and adaptive headlamps in the 2010s, they were billed as superior and longer lasting and the beam could be more focused, ostensibly away from the eyes of oncoming drivers at night.
But a new study from AAA suggests this goal has not yet been achieved. In fact, headlamp glare could be a bigger problem today versus years past, despite new technologies.
"New LED lighting systems are putting exponentially more light on the road and closer to the cut-off line," Greg Brannon, AAA's director of automotive engineering and research, says of the boundary below which low-beams must be targeted to prevent glare for oncoming drivers. "So any deviation from perfectly flat conditions and drivers may find the brightest part of the beam in their eyes."
AAA surveyed 1,092 US adults between Feb. 5 and 8 and says the sample was representative of 97 percent of the US household population. Most surveys were completed online, but phone interviews were conducted with consumers who lack internet access.
Not Just A Problem For The Elderly
The survey finds that headlamp glare is most problematic on two-lane roads, which makes sense because opposing traffic passes very closely, in rural areas without street lights, so the driver's eyes accustomed to darkness must adapt to occasional flashes of oncoming brightness. And it's particularly dangerous when an oncoming driver forgets to turn off the high beams.
It's tempting to say that nighttime glare is a problem for old folks. That's true, but Brannon says the issue is much more widespread and affects everyone.
"Our data suggests the issue of glare doesn’t seem to be age-related."
–AAA's Greg Brannon
Among survey respondents, 73 percent of drivers who experience headlight glare say the problem has intensified over the past decade. It's also true that our vision degrades as we age, which might explain why respondents are answering this way.
Some 70 percent of respondents who wear prescription glasses say they struggle with glare, compared to 56 percent of respondents who don't wear glasses. Meanwhile, 70 percent of female drivers report glare issues, compared to 57 percent of males.
Headlamps Needing Proper Alignment
A key contributor to headlight glare could be tied to the disparity in vehicle sizes. Among drivers of full-size pickups and SUVs, who sit higher, 41 percent report issues with glare, compared to 66 percent for all other drivers, the survey finds. This ties back to the placement of the cut-off line, which is set at the factory and regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Source: AAA
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
