Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright • Hacker News Board

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#11

Post by jghn » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:26 PM UTC

Taek wrote: post #2

I feel the same way in America, I think there should be stricter regulations on how bright a car's headlights are allowed to be for it to be street legal. Wouldn't mind having a cap on blue-light levels in addition.

There are regulations. The problem is they're easy to game. [1][2]

[1] https://www.theringer.com/2024/12/03/tech/headlight-brightne...

[2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42443406

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#12

Post by gtsop » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:26 PM UTC

[dead]

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#13

Post by nikanj » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:27 PM UTC

The bane of my existence is the new "smart" matrix lights, which claim you don't have to switch to low beams for incoming traffic. I bet they work great in AutoCAD or perfect vacuum, but in reality you have the pesky atmosphere scattering the bright photons every which way - guaranteeing at least 40% hitting my poor retinas.

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#14

Post by MarcScott » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:27 PM UTC

I think this is an area where stricter regulation would be appreciated. Just needs an additional checkbox on the regular MOT forms, and all cars would be compliant within a year.

Additionally, car designers should leave headlights and indicators alone, unless they are making the vehicles safer. The first time I encountered an oncoming car with a horizontal LED strip between the lights, I had no idea what style of vehicle was oncoming.

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#15

Post by HPsquared » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:27 PM UTC

A lot of this is due to differing heights. There are more tall vehicles with headlights that are high off the ground, which dazzle drivers of regular cars.

Even if the dip angle is the same (1% gradient or so), this can still dazzle most people nearby.

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#16

Post by nikanj » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:27 PM UTC

everdrive wrote: post #10

I understand that currently this is sort of a collective action problem, but I'm a bit baffled why people ever thought they needed brighter headlights in the first place. In the city, it's so bright that you don't even need headlights to see whatsoever. When cars started automatically dimming the dash via a light sensor, there was actually a period of time where I totally forgot to turn on my headlights because thing…

Out in the country: moose and other animals

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#17

Post by 4ndrewl » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:28 PM UTC

nanna wrote: post #5

Same for bicycle lights too, and street lights.

Nearly all UK drivers say bike lights are too bright?

Do you have a citation or was that an edgy culture war comment?

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#18

Post by jonahrd » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:28 PM UTC

everdrive wrote: post #10

I understand that currently this is sort of a collective action problem, but I'm a bit baffled why people ever thought they needed brighter headlights in the first place. In the city, it's so bright that you don't even need headlights to see whatsoever. When cars started automatically dimming the dash via a light sensor, there was actually a period of time where I totally forgot to turn on my headlights because thing…

Well.. deer, for one. It's much easier to spot animals crossing the road with bright headlights than without.

I still also agree headlights are too bright, by the way, but I'm just providing an example for your question

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#19

Post by nikanj » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:28 PM UTC

Taek wrote: post #2

I feel the same way in America, I think there should be stricter regulations on how bright a car's headlights are allowed to be for it to be street legal. Wouldn't mind having a cap on blue-light levels in addition.

Usually in USA regulations apply to cars, but everyone drives a light truck that's exempt from regulations ranging from emission to pedestrian safety

Re: Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright

#20

Post by jonasdegendt » Tue, Nov 18, 2025, 2:29 PM UTC

Taek wrote: post #2

I feel the same way in America, I think there should be stricter regulations on how bright a car's headlights are allowed to be for it to be street legal. Wouldn't mind having a cap on blue-light levels in addition.

It's much worse in America, in my experience. Much more deviation in cars/sedans/trucks on the road, with different road heights each, and MUCH more custom stuff on top.

I'm in Belgium and headlights don't generally bother me too much, but a month in California recently had me going "no wonder everyone has tints here."