It’s not just you . . . car headlights are getting brighter.

Don’t worry, it’s not just you – car headlights are getting brighter.

Many car manufacturers are trading traditional halogen bulbs for LED headlights. While LED lights offer better visibility for drivers, improved energy efficiency, and longer lifespans, they also create increased glare for oncoming traffic.

The problem is partly due to the intensity of modern headlights and partly due to the height and design of vehicles.

A Consumer Report analysis found that truck hood heights have increased by an average of 11% over the past two decades. For some heavy-duty trucks, like the Ford F-250, the front edge of the hood is now 55 inches or more from the ground. Which, for reference, is about as tall as the roof of some sedans. SUVs and pickup trucks make up more than four of every five new cars sold in the US, an almost 30% increase from 2013.

So, cars are not only getting larger, but larger cars are becoming increasingly more popular.

This presents a problem – larger vehicles often have headlights that are positioned higher, which can shine directly into the eyes of drivers in smaller cars.

While some automakers are quick to argue the safety benefits of brighter headlights, critics argue that regulations haven't kept up with changes in technology.  In Europe, Asia, and Canada, many cars come equipped with adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights, which shape the light emitted from headlights instead of projecting it all over the road. In 2022, America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized regulations for ADB headlights; however, because US vehicle regulations are more difficult to meet, automakers are still largely unable to offer ADB headlights here. It will likely be years before drivers see ADB headlights on the road.