A survey by the American Automobile Association (AAA) reveals that most drivers experience difficulty with headlight glare, with many believing the problem has worsened in recent years.

New data supports this anecdotal experience. The AAA reports that 60% of drivers state headlight glare is causing problems on the roads they use. However, glare does not appear to be causing significantly more accidents than in the past.

The AAA suggests this issue may be linked to evolving vehicle design and lighting technology. LED and HID headlights are now prevalent in the automotive industry. Additionally, newer vehicles, particularly pickups and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), tend to have higher ground clearance, which can cause their light beams to shine directly into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

Oncoming headlights can cause glare for drivers. Photo: Practical Caravan

The survey indicates that 92% of drivers who experience glare identify oncoming vehicle headlights as the primary issue, while approximately 33% report being bothered by light reflected in their rearview mirrors. Drivers wearing prescription glasses report more problems with glare than those without, and this phenomenon is more likely to affect women than men.

Conversely, pickup truck drivers complain less about glare, which may be attributed to their higher seating position.

Many might assume that brighter headlights inherently pose a higher safety risk. Instead, they appear to offer positive benefits. The AAA notes that modern headlights are significantly brighter and more effective for drivers, aiding the performance of automatic emergency braking systems. Drivers also benefit from improved visibility.

Furthermore, a 2025 study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that glare was a contributing factor in only one or two accidents per 1,000 nighttime crashes. This rate has not increased even as headlights have become brighter. In fact, the organization states that insufficient visibility causes more accidents than excessive brightness.

Despite the discomfort it can cause, headlight glare leads to far fewer accidents than insufficient visibility, according to IIHS President David Harkey.

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