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America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

wsj.com

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Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#71

Post by ProllyInfamous »

ljf wrote: post #20
simonbarker87 wrote: post #14

I think UK drivers also agree. It’s like lots of people are driving around with their high beams on. They aren’t because if they were you’d wouldn’t be able to look at them at all. They are 20% too bright and all too cold.

It is bad here (uk) but in America it is wild - not only do they use far brighter bulbs in the usa, but the rules on how they can be angled aren't as strict and in some states are not enforced at all. It can be unpleasant here, but I don't know how there aren't more accidents in the US

>in some states [lighting laws] are not enforced at all.

This is how it is in the American South, where every 90's pickup truck has been "retrofitted" with xenon bulbs, without actually having replaced the headlamp reflector housing == blinding oncoming drivers.

Don't even get me started on people driving around with their actual highbeams on because "it allows me to see better" [an actual response].

My state does not even inspect vehicles in any capacity — would love to see police actually cite offending vehicles, but they're too busy busting kids for marihuana.

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#72

Post by gravescale »

lttlrck wrote: post #68
simonbarker87 wrote: post #14

I think UK drivers also agree. It’s like lots of people are driving around with their high beams on. They aren’t because if they were you’d wouldn’t be able to look at them at all. They are 20% too bright and all too cold.

I am just heading back from the UK to SoCal. I was in the west country for a week and did plenty of backroads driving in heavy rain at night. I can't say I noticed many blinding LED headlights but general headlight alignment and high beam discipline is infinitely better than in the US.

Headlight alignment is at least part of the yearly vehicle check for vehicles older then 3 years. Aftermarket lights that are illegally bright will (or rather, should) also fail that check. But I would assume if you're knowingly putting some eBay NightVision-b-Gone supernova in your car that has "not legal for road use" on the box, you're going to swap it out beforehand and put it back afterwards.

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#73

Post by xotesos »

lostlogin wrote: post #6
throwitaway222 wrote: post #3

Well, the worst drivers are those that just keep their brights on, because they have no fucking clue you're supposed to lower them when another car is approaching. Fucking idiots.

The worst offenders are jacked up vehicles like SUVs and utes/trucks/pickups of whatever people call them. When you are lower than the oncoming car, it’s completely impossible to see ahead.

[dead]

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#74

Post by throwaway290 »

crustycoder wrote: post #61
throwaway290 wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> they have no fucking clue you're supposed to lower them when another car is approaching You know it's also true if you are approaching another car (eg. from behind). And if there are people in front of your lights in general it's a pain for them too

Auto-dim rear view mirrors have been around for ages.

Would you rather have your tax money spend on auto dimming glasses for everyone to wear when walking, move all car road infra under ground, or just be a decent human being?

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#75

Post by [deleted] »

barrystaes wrote: post #67
Klonoar wrote: post #64

Considering the move to SUVs and crossovers and the like, I’ll just say this: these headlights are hell for you if you’re driving a car that’s lower to the ground because they hit you directly at eye level now. The entire headlights issue is definitely frustrating.

In the EU i even noticed the rare US XL pickups (those bigger than parking allows) are blinding pedestrians and cyclists, especially kids. So for that reason alone some vehicles are not fit for use in residential areas, and likely to be improved or forced out by law. Headlights on trailer trucks are not even that bad/high.

[deleted]

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#77

Post by curiousgibbon »

sherr wrote: post #10

In addition to cars, I'm a cyclist and have noticed that LED cycle lights, both front and back, can also be far too bright sometimes. Blinding in fact. A few years ago, I was behind a bike which had such a high powered rear (red) LED light that I had to drop back to get away from it. It reminded me of the sort of powerful red light an airport might have. For bikes, it sometimes felt like an "arms race" in brightness.

This is often user error. Many bike lights have a daytime mode that is far too bright for night. But winning the arms race is so important...

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#78

Post by senkora »

sherr wrote: post #10

In addition to cars, I'm a cyclist and have noticed that LED cycle lights, both front and back, can also be far too bright sometimes. Blinding in fact. A few years ago, I was behind a bike which had such a high powered rear (red) LED light that I had to drop back to get away from it. It reminded me of the sort of powerful red light an airport might have. For bikes, it sometimes felt like an "arms race" in brightness.

I’ve noticed this s lot cycling in NYC. One alternative that I like a lot: play music from a portable bluetooth speaker to make your presence obvious.

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#79

Post by curiousgibbon »

ljf wrote: post #20
simonbarker87 wrote: post #14

I think UK drivers also agree. It’s like lots of people are driving around with their high beams on. They aren’t because if they were you’d wouldn’t be able to look at them at all. They are 20% too bright and all too cold.

It is bad here (uk) but in America it is wild - not only do they use far brighter bulbs in the usa, but the rules on how they can be angled aren't as strict and in some states are not enforced at all. It can be unpleasant here, but I don't know how there aren't more accidents in the US

There are more accidents in the US than in civilized countries. Per mile.

Re: America's Drivers Agree: LED Headlights Are Just Too Bright

#80

Post by outop »

maeln wrote: post #40
outop wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It was found that drivers unconsciously filtered out a single small light moving like a bicycle does (weaving back and forth slowly, often towards the edge of the driveable area). Flashing lights are somewhat annoying but much safer for cyclists.

No they are not and explicitly banned in some country. The strobing light is way more blinding for any other user of the road. It also makes it hard for you eyes to adjust. This means that you struggle to understand how fast the bicycle is moving, and exactly how its moving (and therefor anticipate their movement correctly), but you also get blinded which might prevent you from seeing other user of the road (especial…

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