US approves new headlights that won’t blind oncoming drivers

Maybe, but I can't change that can I?

I sure can see the road better than any other vehicle I've been in or owned.

 

Correct, it is a headlight design issue, you cannot change it or do anything about it. Seeing better as the driver is only half the equation, you also don't want to be hazardous to other drivers so they can see better too.

 

I agree it would be a bad thing to blind other drivers. Luckily I normally drive in the city. The light cutoff on my Civic is clear and defined. They are truly the brightest headlights I've ever seen. I've worked in auto body shops for 15+ years. Have seen a lot of headlights.

 

The later Accords with led seem to produce some glare, and I have noticed soom cross overs producing glare. The fixed reflector leds seem to be the worse when I'm driving.

 

It could also be how they are aimed from the factory. I know the Subaru Outbacks' and Legacys' hedlights are aimed very high from the factory. I thought it was just glare. But when my buddy got a 2020 Legacy he found that he had to lower his almost 3" at 25' to even make them level!! After he mentioned that I noticed another legacy on a foggy day and you could clearly see the beam pattern shooting upwards. Subaru uses the same projector on many of their of their cars, one of which is in our Ascent and they really don't have annoying glare when aimed properly. Surprisingly really good output, although it has a different cutoff than we are used to seeing. The cutoff has a central hump for distance with the left and right sides being the same height.

I have noticed Civic's and Accords with the new multi reflector LED headlights while in my Tacoma and I would venture to say they likely have a slightly high factory aim. Even in my Tacoma with a 2.5" lift and 33's I have noticed them behind me. Usually I notice the glare until they are maybe a few car lengths behind me, so 50-60ft?? Then as they get closer, the glare goes away and I can identify the type of vehicle. Being a lighting nerd I pay attention to car lighting on the road way too much. lol Not that I stare at them, but I do tend to safely study them.

I'd be curious to see a few output height measurements on your Civic from 10', 25' and maybe 45' or so to see the cutoff level remains level, raise or gradually lowers. If it stays level or does gradually get lower, then that would indicate that glare is the issue and not aim.