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NHTSA Tackles Headlight Glare with New Safety Standards
7 Oct
Summary
- NHTSA is updating vehicle lighting standards due to glare concerns.
- New rules will accommodate advanced lighting tech like LEDs.
- Current standards have not been updated since 1997.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it will update vehicle lighting standards. This initiative addresses growing concerns over headlight glare and aims to integrate advanced lighting technologies into new vehicles. Current regulations, which have remained unchanged since 1997, will be modernized to improve safety and driver visibility.
The agency plans to refine rules concerning LEDs, dusk sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources. NHTSA will also evaluate headlamp height and aim to mitigate glare, a frequent complaint amplified by the increasing presence of taller trucks and SUVs on roads. LEDs, now prevalent in new car headlights, are significantly brighter than older halogen bulbs.
While headlight glare is a factor in a small percentage of nighttime crashes, the NHTSA is moving forward with a negotiated rulemaking process. This process will involve up to 18 participants from various industry and safety sectors. Previously, in 2022, the NHTSA permitted adaptive driving beam headlights, which automatically adjust to dim sections directed at other vehicles.
