Are you frustrated by bright headlights while you’re driving at night?
A new study from AAA suggests you’re not alone.
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The study revealed 6 in 10 drivers struggle with headlight glare, and nearly three-quarters of those affected said it has gotten worse over the last decade.
Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson for AAA Northeast, said there are several factors for this.
“New headlight technologies and taller vehicle design are contributing to growing driver frustration with headlight glare,” he said. “The reality is that vehicle lighting technology has evolved faster than regulations. And while adaptive driving beam headlights — which automatically dim the high-beam when another vehicle approaches — are now permitted in the U.S., they are not yet available in mainstream vehicles.”
92% of drivers said oncoming headlights cause the most trouble, particularly on two-lane roads.
Drivers who wear prescription glasses experience more glare than those who don’t.
The study also found that pickup truck drivers are less likely to report glare problems.
NewsCenter 5 spoke with Dr. Daniel Liebman from Mass Eye and Ear on ways to mitigate headlight glare while you’re driving.
“A lot of patients do experience glare at nighttime, even when they have otherwise normal eyes,” Dr. Liebman said. “In those cases, common sense practices such as avoiding direct staring into the oncoming headlights, keeping your eyes a little bit down and to the side, following the line of the road instead of looking directly into the headlights, can prevent that sudden blinding effect and keep you safer when you’re on the street at night.”
If you try those strategies and your nighttime vision on the road doesn’t improve, Dr. Liebman suggests making an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
It may be an indication you have an underlying condition, such as cataracts and dry eyes, that makes the glare worse.
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