US approves new headlights that won’t blind oncoming drivers

fox13 ^

[algore]

DETROIT – Anyone who has ever been temporarily blinded by high-beam headlights from an oncoming car will be happy to hear this.

U.S. highway safety regulators are about to allow new high-tech headlights that can automatically tailor beams so they focus on dark areas of the road and don't create glare for oncoming drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it issued a final rule allowing what's called “adaptive driving beam headlights” on new vehicles. It will go into effect when published in the Federal Register in the next few days.

The headlights, commonly used in Europe, have LED lamps that can focus beams on darkness such as the driver's lane and areas along the roadside. They also lower the intensity of the light beams if there's oncoming traffic. Camera sensors and computers help determine where the light should go.

"This final rule will improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by making them more visible at night, and will help prevent crashes by better illuminating animals and objects in and along the road,” the agency said in a news release on Tuesday.

The new rule, which was supported by the auto industry, comes as the safety agency grapples with a dramatic rise in traffic deaths nationwide.

[C210N]

headlights that can automatically tailor beams...

Fred Upton, is that you?

[SaxxonWoods]

Thanks. I was just making a joke. My normal headlights seem fine however.

[meyer]

It’s not high beams that are the primary issue - I mean, sure, they’re going to blind oncoming traffic. That’s known by all. But mis-aimed low beams and especially very bright LED and HID lights that are mis-aimed are the real problem.

There are simple methods of aiming headlights, but people fail to do so. And they’ll hitch up a trailer or put 1000 pounds of wood in the bed of the truck, but fail to re-aim the headlights after doing so. The result- blinding oncoming traffic.

And headlights aren’t the only issue - some of the high-intensity lighting used for storefronts and parking lots have the same effect if they’re aimed so that their bright spot shines in drivers’ eyes.

Maybe cops ought to start giving out warnings and tickets for mis-aimed headlights.

[RayChuang88]

These new headlights are also exorbitantly expensive to replace eventually. 💸😒 At least my 2016 Scion iM uses 9012 (HiR2) headlight bulbs, which are not that expensive to buy.

[George from New England]

When the vaxxes bring on the walking dead, no one will be driving after dark

[Theoria]

Some lowbeams are so bright these days that they appear as highbeams. So bright they blind at times.

[Revel]

I no longer like driving at night because many of the headlights today are so blinding that it is unbearable. The only standard for headlights now is to make them brighter. It does not matter if the oncoming traffic can see anything.

[algore]

On the audi e-tron it is a $3000 option

[nickcarraway]

I thought that was the point?

[Little Ray]

I tend to drive with my headlights on, period. When I’m on the road I want to be seen.

[Dr. Sivana]

Thanks. I was just making a joke.

Sorry. Normally I am the one whining about new mandated tech in cars. (banks of air bags, headrests in the back row, sholder belts in the rear middle seat, computers for everything, remote keyfobs, etc.) but the e-code lights added extra functionality without interfering with other aspects of older cars, so I vouch for them when they come up. I had Hella brand, but Cibie is supposed to be even better.

[heartwood]

How about just banning super bright blue spectrum, as opposed to old style yellow lights? Those super brights on low beam are worse for oncoming drivers than old lights on high beam.

Automatic dimmers take aware situational awareness and responsiveness, and they still don’t keep high beams out out of pedestrians’ faces.

And they’re expensive. More failure points. And hackable. Will there be a “smart” light exemption for old style lights?

[algore]

“These new headlights are also exorbitantly expensive to replace eventually. 💸😒 At least my 2016 Scion iM uses 9012 (HiR2) headlight bulbs, which are not that expensive to buy.”

You can modify 9012 bulbs to work in place of 9005 they are much brighter

[Seruzawa]

Fact is there are far too many @$$holes now who install those superbright HIDs and LEDs. I was literally blinded via my rearview mirror on the way home last night. Some @$$ in an HD pickup. But there are also a lot of Audis around now with those super blue super brights. I’ve refrained from shooting them out so far.

[Liaison]

I was quoted anywhere fro 1100 to 1800 to replace a headlight pod on a 2008 car when the lens for the adaptive system busted in the housing. I got a newer car instead of replacing it.

[Don W]

I used to buy Cibie’ lenses for my cars, then install 55/85 halogen bulbs. Perfectly aimed and bright.

Then I had to go to Bosch because Cibie’ stopped selling here. Not quite as good.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

When I see those I just haul ass.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it issued a final rule allowing what's called “adaptive driving beam headlights” on new vehicles.

Finally allowing us to get the same headlights which are in common use in Europe. The NHTSA is invariably about 5-10 years behind Europe and Japan in approving automobile technology.

[IYAS9YAS]

Ten years ago, you could still change a bulb for relatively little cost. Today, the all-LED headlights are gonna cost you plenty. The entire assembly has to be replaced.

I pointed this out to my kids. Yeah, LEDs are energy efficient, but you can't just replace the bulb in many of the LED fixtures today. They're part of the whole device. I asked them if the energy savings was worth the extra landfill waste.

[1Old Pro]

In my experience, less than a new key fob in a newer car, and somehow people bought into that.

Because they don't notice when it "comes" with the car. You only notice when you need to replace one.