US agency to rewrite rules to address vehicle headlight glare
WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday that it will rewrite its vehicle lighting standards to address concerns about headlight glare and allow for the latest safety-improving lighting technologies.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced plans to revise vehicle lighting standards to tackle concerns over headlight glare and integrate the newest safety-enhancing lighting technologies. David Shepardson reported for Reuters on October 6.
The agency aims to enhance regulations for LED lights, dusk sensors, automatic high beams, and replaceable light sources. NHTSA will also assess headlamp height, aim, and their influence on driver visibility, as well as headlight glare and implement necessary modifications.
Complaints regarding headlight glare have risen, with some lawmakers pushing for the establishment of a maximum headlight brightness standard. The increasing prevalence of taller trucks and SUVs on roads has further exacerbated the issue.
LEDs have become the prevalent type of headlights in contemporary cars, outshining traditional halogen headlights in brightness. The current standards fail to permit manufacturers to implement the latest safety-improving lighting technologies. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that key experts and stakeholders will be convened to modernize the standards and address potential glare sources.
Though headlight glare contributes to only a small fraction of nighttime crashes, as per a study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2022, it still plays a role. According to the study, headlight glare was a factor in only one or two out of every 1,000 nighttime crashes across 11 US states between 2015 and 2023.
Federal headlight standards for minimum and maximum brightness have remained unchanged since 1997, as highlighted by the IIHS. The study revealed that drivers aged 70 and above appear to be most impacted by headlight glare.
In 2022, NHTSA announced its intention to permit automakers to install adaptive driving beam headlights on new vehicles. These devices adjust the headlight beam pattern to reduce brightness directed at other vehicles. NHTSA will employ a negotiated rulemaking process to update its vehicle lighting standards, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy appointing up to 18 representatives from vehicle lighting manufacturers, motor vehicle equipment associations, safety organizations, research institutions, and engineering associations.
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