quote:

Originally posted by Inusuit:
is that really a wise decision?

It's not.

Perhaps it's just another issue where we have laws/rules already that aren't being enforced. I do agree they are a problem.

I see blinking/flashing brake lights all the time now too, those are also a no-no by Fed regs.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
I see blinking/flashing brake lights all the time now too, those are also a no-no by Fed regs.

Are they? I see this a lot, too (and I'll admit I haven't made time to study the FMVSS document yet).

Maybe the lights could be checked at each oil change or each smog check.

Some of the problem is factory stock. Many times the problem is because of aftermarket upgrades to something (not necessarily the lights).

LE has no cause for fix-it tickets when they encounter this? Surely they get blinded as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Enough is enough here.

Coming home last night for dinner, every fifth or sixth car has headlights so INSANELY bright that they are totally blinding me and destroying my night vision, to the point of where it’s getting dangerous.

I am a small government guy and hate overregulation, but in this case I think there needs to be some sort of national standard or regulation of the brightness of car headlights. They continue to get brighter and brighter, it’s ridiculous and IMO getting dangerous.

Does anyone else out there feel this way??

I'm not being snarky but have you had your eyes checked lately? especially for cataracts?

I think the Rev is right. I have cataracts, but they're not anywhere near bad enough to get operated on yet, maybe they never will be, but I can see where they put halos on oncoming headlights.

But, they aren't really all that bright to me.

Un regulated headlights have been a pet peeve of mine when I had cataracts. I have since had both eyes done (cataract surgery) and the problem is no better.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:


I'm not being snarky but have you had your eyes checked lately? especially for cataracts?

I was just at the eye doctor a few weeks ago for a full checkup. Other than my close-up vison going to shit requiring reading glasses now, my eyes check out just fine.

I just have a problem with the cars coming at me with 10,000 lumens, blinding the shit out of me.

It's like they all drive around with their high beams on, but those are on steroids. I can't even imagine what the actual high beams are like!

I don't think it's the headlight regs that are a problem. Headlights are actually quite regulated and manufacturers are annoyed that they can't adopt smarter/better headlight systems that they are currently using in Europe. For example, headlights that can actually change the throw angle based on oncoming traffic.

I bet your annoyance is actually linked to the popularity of lifting pickup trucks and SUVs which raises the headlight height. Or people who don't properly adjust the headlight height in general. My current batch of cars with LED headlights are auto leveling and adjust each time I turn the car on.

I'm against having any government involvement except immunity to those who choose to shoot them out.

quote:

I Think It’s Time For Some Sort Of Regulation On Car Headlights

There already are. But they aren't being observed or enforced. Properly designed stock headlights shouldn't blind you, nor should fog lights.

LED headlights have gotten so out of control I wear tinted driving glasses to avoid being blinded by oncoming traffic... and I'm in a SUV!

Brighter lights doesn't make the road safer for anyone when it's blinding other drivers yet auto manufacturers love to advertise otherwise.

Because it’s all about them, screw everybody else
Headlights were yellow for a reason, so everybody else on the road could see, also

Yes, this is a real problem and folks will continue to push the envelope until some type of enforcement occurs. I drive a rural route to work and the kids have taken to installing all manner of LED attachments to their trucks...many aren't even using their headlights anymore.

Saw a TeeVee ad about glasses that help fix this, no way it's going away, when lights went from the old sealed beams to HID people were upset, same comments, now it's HID to LED.

You might have some sensitivity to brighter lights, look at some night driving glasses as an option.

https://clearview.store/

and flashing someone with a super bright hand held is wrong, might get someone seriously hurt

The worst is the assholes that add a wall of LED lights to the grill of their cars.

Dynamic headlights just got approval for use in the US. it will take a while, but this will help. It will probably also mean you'll be able to total a car for a broken headlight.

Linky:

Like many of you, overly bright or poorly aimed LED arrays have blinded me. I now wear a yellow tinted pair of shooting glasses to cut down on a lot of glare.
But:
Where I drive, outside of what passes for civilization here in the Yoop, it is pitch black. And loaded with deer. Having powerful lights help to keep me safe. But I dont leave them on in town!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Peteroniman:
Because it’s all about them, screw everybody else
Headlights were yellow for a reason, so everybody else on the road could see, also

No, they were yellow because no one had figured out yet how to make them bright enough to produce white light.

"They" are too busy killing my diesel pickup to worry about enforcing existing headlight rules.

Flashing brake lights do not comply with Federal DOT regulations. Some states have emulated the Regulations with their inspection laws. Title 67 in Pa (mirroring the Federal regs) defines the triangle of brake lamps’ width, height, color, etc. It clearly states that all the lamps must function identically. Sooo, a flashing/extra bright upper brake lamp shouldn’t pass inspection. There’s also a Federal specification that prohibits flashing lamps on the back of a car. Getting a citation adjudicated for certain lighting equipment violations isn’t a given.
As for blinding headlights… it isn’t just the high lumen output, but also the wave length of the light itself. Bright white causes wet pavement to turn into a silver sheen obliterating lane and shoulder marks. The splatter reflections in precipitation defeat any high output.
Awhile back I read a study from NY that showed high output headlights cast a moving shadow behind a deer, which causes the animal to run away from the shadow moving behind it towards the vehicle! If you’re driving too fast for existing conditions, ie., in the dark in deer country, bright “may be” better, but only if speed is regulated accordingly.
After market mods cause lots of problems. Not only because of bulbs improperly installed in the wrong type reflector housings, but as another poster pointed out, lift kits, tire changes, etc.
Dynamic, or intelligent, lighting systems are one solution (albeit ghastly expensive and complex) but no matter how much technology is applied, “you can’t fix stupid”. There’s a plethora of stupid out there. Don’t get me started on the “loud pipes save lives” argument.