Car headlights

[Spud]

Just wondering, does anyone else find new cars' headlights too bright? It's like having a full beam aimed at you! I heard that new cars actually drive along with full beam until a sensor detects an oncoming car and dips the lights. Does anyone with a modern car know if this is true?

[Aruntraveller]

It might happen with some modern cars, not with mine I still have to dip my headlights (car is only 8 months old). Headlights do seem to be brighter these days. Whether that's down to modern technology or aging eyesight I'm not sure!

[Owlswing]

It might happen with some modern cars, not with mine I still have to dip my headlights (car is only 8 months old). Headlights do seem to be brighter these days. Whether that's down to modern technology or ageing eyesight I'm not sure!

According to some articles on the subject, that I have seen quoted, there have been quite a few accidents due to these new headlights. Part of the problem appears to be that new lights do not use light bulbs and are far 'whiter ' than the old ones.

[Harrowby Hall]

My car is not exactly new - it is over three years old. However, Ihave had some problems driving at night. The position of dipped headlight beams in the "standard" position is too low and does not illuminate a sufficient length of road head for me to feel confident that I can drive in complete safety.

I have two options, therefore:
     I can drive using the main beam in situations where I would normally drive on dipped beams   or
     I can adjust the dipped beam so that it is higher and possibly dazzle oncoming drivers.

[Udayana]

My car can automatically dip headlights from full beam, depending on approaching cars or passing through lit areas, possibly more responsively than I could manually. However the mechanism would reduce cases of oncoming drivers being dazzled rather than increase them.

Maybe the dazzling is due to increasing numbers of cars with misaligned or even non-working lights? There just seem to be more of these to me. 

Many newer cars now also use flat beam dipped lights that need careful alignment: The beam is flatter and lower, dipped lights not "kicking up" - so can meet LHD and RHD regs without converters - possibly causing your issue HH?
     

[Harrowby Hall]

Many newer cars now also use flat beam dipped lights that need careful alignment: The beam is flatter and lower, dipped lights not "kicking up" - so can meet LHD and RHD regs without converters - possibly causing your issue HH?
     

Could be. I do spend time in France each year and have no need to adjust or convert my headlamps.

[Roses]

Just wondering, does anyone else find new cars' headlights too bright? It's like having a full beam aimed at you! I heard that new cars actually drive along with full beam until a sensor detects an oncoming car and dips the lights. Does anyone with a modern car know if this is true?

I dislike though over bright headlights too. My Honda Jazz, a 2016 model, doesn't have those particular lights, but it will dip them automatically when there is a car coming towards me.

[ad_orientem]

Just wondering, does anyone else find new cars' headlights too bright? It's like having a full beam aimed at you! I heard that new cars actually drive along with full beam until a sensor detects an oncoming car and dips the lights. Does anyone with a modern car know if this is true?

Agreed. Far too bright. Almost blinded for a couple of seconds. Should be banned.

[Nearly Sane]

Agreed. Far too bright. Almost blinded for a couple of seconds. Should be banned.

Isn't that precisely what people used to do but would be less likely to react and dim them?

[Spud]

Trouble is, if his beam has hit your eyes, even for a split second that's too long, as you're already blinded, particularly because modern headlights are white light which is worse for the eyes than yellow.. Also I have a feeling his sensors take longer to react if your lights are the old yellow type and less powerful, especially when dipped.

[Nearly Sane]

Trouble is, if his beam has hit your eyes, even for a split second that's too long, as you're already blinded, particularly because modern headlights are white light which is worse for the eyes than yellow.. Also I have a feeling his sensors take longer to react if your lights are the old yellow type and less powerful, especially when dipped.

Same if it's a human controlling them. I need more than a feeling to justify your take.

[Spud]

Same if it's a human controlling them. I need more than a feeling to justify your take.

They are too bright and extremely dangerous. I don't know why. It needs sorting.

[Nearly Sane]

They are too bright and extremely dangerous. I don't know why. It needs sorting.

That's irrelevant to the specific issue. And is just another anecdotal assertion

[Udayana]

Trouble is, if his beam has hit your eyes, even for a split second that's too long, as you're already blinded, particularly because modern headlights are white light which is worse for the eyes than yellow.. Also I have a feeling his sensors take longer to react if your lights are the old yellow type and less powerful, especially when dipped.

Whatever the technology available, there is nothing to stop drivers being careful and considerate. For example, on windy country roads I usually dip my lights before entering a bend, irrespective of any indication of an oncoming vehicle and with or without automatic dipping.