Almost 90% of Drivers Think LED Headlights Are Too Bright and Pose a Huge Risk
It’s a complaint you’ve likely heard — or voiced — during a nighttime drive: “These headlights are blinding!” In recent years, a growing number of drivers have reported discomfort and even danger from LED headlights on the road. Now, a new survey backs up the widespread frustration: nearly 90% of drivers believe LED headlights are too bright, and many see them as a serious safety risk.
LED (light-emitting diode) headlights have become standard in modern vehicles due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and intense illumination. Automakers tout them as a major improvement over halogen bulbs. But for drivers on the receiving end, especially at night or in poor weather, that intensity can feel less like a feature and more like a hazard.
“It’s like getting flashed in the face with a flashlight while trying to drive,” says Olivia Banks, a 42-year-old teacher from Oregon. “You look away, squint, and for a few seconds, you’re basically driving blind. It’s terrifying.”
She’s not alone. According to a recent poll of 2,000 drivers, 89% believe that LED headlights are excessively bright, and more than 70% say they’ve had to slow down or pull over at night due to the blinding glare from oncoming traffic. Some have reported headaches, temporary vision loss, and near-miss accidents attributed to harsh lighting.
Experts say the problem isn’t necessarily with the LEDs themselves, but how they’re being used.
“LEDs emit light in a more concentrated and focused beam,” explains Dr. Leonard Wu, an optometrist who specializes in vision and driving. “When they’re not properly angled or installed in aftermarket setups, they can create glare that affects other drivers, especially in lower-sitting cars.”
SUVs and trucks, which sit higher off the ground, are often outfitted with powerful LED systems that shine directly into the windshields of smaller vehicles, compounding the problem. In rural areas or highways without streetlights, the effect can be even more pronounced.
Regulatory agencies have taken note. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has acknowledged the rise in complaints and is reviewing existing headlight regulations. In the UK, similar concerns have prompted the Department for Transport to explore new guidelines for headlight intensity and aim calibration.
In the meantime, drivers are left trying to cope. Some use night-driving glasses, others install tint strips across the tops of their windshields. But none of these are perfect solutions.
Ironically, LED headlights were introduced to improve safety, offering better visibility for the driver. And they do — for the person behind the wheel of the car with the LEDs. For everyone else, it’s a different story.
The debate over LED headlights highlights a growing disconnect between technological advancements and real-world consequences. Until regulators, manufacturers, and safety experts work together to strike a better balance, many drivers will continue to dread the blinding glare that turns every night drive into a gamble.
