OHIO — Ohio motorists are finding it increasingly difficult to drive at night due to the intense glare of modern headlights.
Many drivers wonder if their eyesight is deteriorating, but the real issue is the growing use of ultra-bright LED and HID headlights.
These newer lights, while beneficial for the driver using them, can create dangerous visibility problems for others on the road.
The Shift to Brighter Headlights
For decades, most vehicles used halogen headlights, which emitted a softer yellowish light.
Today, many cars are equipped with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) or High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights.
These lights produce a bluish-white glow that is significantly brighter and can cause discomfort and glare for oncoming drivers.
Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks, are especially problematic because their higher headlight placement increases the intensity of the glare for those in smaller cars.
With more Ohioans driving trucks and SUVs, the issue is becoming even more pronounced on highways and rural roads.
Headlight Regulations in Ohio
Headlight brightness is regulated at the federal level, with the Department of Transportation capping it at 3,000 candelas.
However, the increase in LED and HID headlights has led to growing concerns that even legally compliant lights are too intense for safe driving conditions.
Ohio law requires drivers to use headlights from sunset to sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility, such as rain or fog.
The state also prohibits certain headlight colors, allowing only white and yellow lights on public roads. However, enforcement of brightness levels remains a challenge.
The Safety Risks of Blinding Headlights
Blinding headlights are more than just an annoyance—they can be dangerous. Studies show that intense glare reduces a driver’s ability to recognize objects, which is especially concerning for pedestrian safety.
In Ohio, where nearly half of all fatal crashes occur at night, the impact of excessive headlight brightness cannot be ignored.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 30% of drivers reported feeling “disturbed” by glare from oncoming headlights.
In the UK, government crash data links blinding headlights to an average of 280 collisions per year.
While similar statistics are not readily available for Ohio, the risk is evident on busy highways like I-71, I-75, and I-80, where night driving can be particularly hazardous.
Solutions for Ohio Drivers
Although adaptive driving beam headlights—which automatically adjust brightness to reduce glare—have been legal in Europe for over a decade, they are only just beginning to be approved for use in the U.S.
The NHTSA issued a final rule allowing them in 2022, but most automakers have yet to implement the technology in American vehicles.
In the meantime, Ohio drivers can take steps to minimize the impact of bright headlights:
- Keep your windshield clean: Dirt and debris can scatter light, making glare worse.
- Check your own headlights: Properly aligned headlights reduce glare for both you and other drivers.
- Adjust your gaze: Looking slightly toward the right side of the road can help reduce the impact of oncoming headlights.
- Wear anti-glare eyewear: Specialized night-driving glasses can improve visibility and reduce eye strain.
With nighttime crashes accounting for a significant portion of Ohio’s traffic fatalities, addressing the issue of overly bright headlights is becoming increasingly important.
While regulatory changes may help in the long run, for now, drivers must take extra precautions to stay safe on the road.
