US approves new headlights that won’t blind oncoming drivers

I know what you're saying, it can get annoying! There are instances when it certainly helps though. In low visibility it really helps to be seen. I don't mind the 3rd brake light flasher with a quick flash 3 times, but when all brake lights flash...damn that's annoying!!

In SoCal, I get it. But in dense fog, heavy snow or heavy rain it really does help to be seen. In Guam the combination of being on a small island (30mi x 12mi / 212sq mi) with very little ambient light, dark roads surface color and insanely heavy rain makes the brake light flasher very helpful to see people stopping...especially with some of the drivers there. While I've been to Guam I saw some storms that averaged around 2" of rain an hour for many hours, crazy seeing a storm go for 2-3 days at a time that doesn't stop and just comes in waves. The roads are a combo of coral and concrete that are a little lighter color than black top but not by much. When it's wet it is very reflective and headlights are dang near useless, especially with LED headlights that are higher Kelvin color temps. Honestly, rear fog lights would help a lot there!

This is where a rear fog light would be very helpful!! I don't particularly mind people using the flashers in my area when there is heavy snow, but I understand what you're saying because in the rain it causes the light to scatter and glare. What's worse is when people don't turn their lights ON in low visibility conditions, yet they have their hazards on...WTF!!!

In snow storms I don't mind hazards on because often in our Subaru Ascent with snow tires (and past vehicles with snow shoes on) I am able to safely drive quite a bit faster than many others. I've come up on people very quickly at 60-70mph when they are doing 25-30mph on the interstate!! I get it because not everyone has or can afford good tires, lack of skill/confidence, just trying to get to the next place to safely stop or they are just scared sometimes with a death grip on the wheel! So for those people I'm thankful they have their hazards on!!

 

I’ve used my hazards for a number of reasons while moving, theyre not just for when you’re double parked haha
For example, i threw my flashers on when there was debris (a ladder) in my lane. Instead of just shifting lanes, i put on my hazards to alert other drivers

 

My only question is when will there be a standalone kit I can drop into any vehicle I want? Even if for "off-road use only".

 

That seems unlikely since these headlights require information from an array of sensors and cameras

 

All are removable.

 

I don't think you're getting it. Those data are what drive the headlight's functionality. Without data from the sensors the headlights cannot function as designed.

 

If the parts can be removed and replaced then they can be removed and put on another vehicle.

 

GLWT

 

How much you wanna bet Morimoto is already working on how to make and sell more expensive headlights to consumers with this tech.

 

With all the reported fails people switching to super brights have, and questions about longevity, what about all the new cars that have them? Is it a given they may fail sooner than later too?

 

I can promise you as someone who drives 500 miles a night I HAVE.

 

My 22 civic has auto high beams that really work well. They will auto turn off when another car is approaching.

Another thing that is interesting is my regular headlights are so bright, that people often flash me. They think I have my high beams on. Then I flash them back to let them know those were just my regulars.

 

I had the matrix headlights working on my Audi Q8 after doing some reprogramming and they are great. Not once did someone flash their high beams, that’s how good the system is at dimming the portion that falls onto oncoming vehicles. It is way better than switching between low/high beams.

 

My 4Runner is the worst for people flashing me because they think my brights are on. I've tried aiming them down but still at least one in ten oncoming vehicles flash their lights at me at night.

 

Are the vehicles turning or switching lanes?

I would think if a vehicle is traveling in the proper direction in it's designated lane. With all of that vehicles lights on and fully functional. You or anyone who is alert enough to operate a vehicle would be able to distinguish the driver's side from the passenger's side of a vehicle, and which side the turn signal is on.

I wouldn't say it's impossible. I've been on some roads that parellel other roads, and have thought vehicles had been heading toward me. No turn signals involved, and I was probably tired at the time.

I'm trying to picture a situation where the driver is alret, and all of the other traffic is operating in a fashion appropriate for the conditions. When a vehicle that you need to be aware of signals, and you couldn't be able to tell if the vehicle signal is on driver or passenger side.

 

Not going to debate this with you and derail this thread. Driver's and traffic don't always follow the rules, vehicles may not even have a visible or operational light etc...

Truth is you see a sequential signal and there is no doubt about it.

Again remember I drive 500 miles (530 if you include to and from work) every night. That presents many more opportunities to see the unexpected or one on a million chance of a major malfunction.

 

No doubt about what side of the vehicle a conventional signal is coming from.

I like the look of a sequential turn signal but I wont let that make myself bias in my observation of vehicle turn signals.

Take a wheelen m600 amber turn indicator arrow and mount those on the same type of vehicle in the same location. Set one vehicle to use a sequential pattern, set the other to use a conventional flash pattern. I don't think anyone will be confused as to which side of the vehicle the turn signal is flashing on. If the other driver can see the signal.

My opinion is the conventional flash is more visible as all of the leds are illuminated at the same time. Where as the sequential pattern, all of the leds are not illuminated until the end of the sequence.

Again I think the sequential pattern is more interesting to see.


Different vehicles, with different style lamps that feature sequential turn signal will very between manufacturer, so there's plenty debate and lots of comparisons can be made. Based on the lighting conditions the vehicle is being driven in.

Again, it's my opinion that sequential and standard turn signal patterns, don't make much difference from a saftey stand point.


Maybe the auto industry could develop a turnsignal that shuts off when people are driving down the highway, who never plan on changing lanes or making a turn.

 

This does not mean your headlights are bright. Proper bright headlights do not blind other drivers. This means your headlights have excessive glare, either from an improper light source, poor design, or the headlight are mis-aimed. Rather than creating a further hazard to others on the road by 'flashing back' maybe investigate why you are being flashed in the first place and resolve the problem.

 

I know you are the Guru for headlights, but I disagree. There is no issue on my completely stock, brand new Honda. The headlights are truly bright AF. Maybe you can test these LED lights against other models you have tested. Maybe Honda made a bad design. But to say they are misaligned, or that I need to investigate what is wrong, that is just bad advice.

 

Quick search shows IIHS notes a glare problem in the 2022 Civic headlight design. Well rated for the driver in performance, but glare issues for oncoming drivers.