America's headlight regulations are finally getting a much-needed reality check. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it will modernize Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, the federal rule governing vehicle lighting. The NHTSA even admits it needs a “long-overdue update.” The goal is twofold: make it easier for automakers to use newer lighting technology while addressing the increasingly annoying problem of headlight glare.
If you've ever been blinded by an oncoming SUV at night, you probably won't need much convincing that something needs to change. Modern LEDs can produce far more light than the once-common halogen units. At the same time, the growing popularity of tall vehicles means those headlights can be aimed almost directly into the eyes of drivers in lower cars.
