If you think headlights are getting brighter, you’re right—and AAA has the data

If you’ve ever found yourself squinting or momentarily blinded by the searing white light of a large, oncoming SUV during your evening commute, you’re not alone. A recent AAA survey reveals that headlight glare has become a major concern among the American public, with 60 percent of respondents reporting it as a problem when driving after dark.

Of those who suffer from glare, almost three-quarters (73%) believe the problem has intensified over the past decade. These findings highlight a growing tension between the latest headlight technologies in new vehicles and the comfort and safety of other drivers on the road.

Changing Technology and Changing Vehicle Trends

Drivers of smaller vehicles are at a disadvantage

Credit: AAA

AAA researchers point to changing technology and changing vehicle trends as the root of the problem.

Modern LED lighting systems and cluster arrays produce more light and at a higher intensity than traditional halogen bulbs. In some cases, the blast of light from an oncoming vehicle can be so bright that you could mistake that vehicle for having its high beams on, even if that’s not the case.

The problem is compounded by the growing popularity of taller vehicles. Given their size, the headlight position of newer trucks and SUVs is generally within the direct line of sight of drivers of smaller, lower cars. Likewise, those who drive smaller sedans and crossovers may experience an uncomfortable glare throughout the cabin when a larger vehicle is behind them at night.

Key findings from the AAA headlight glare study include:

• Oncoming traffic: Of those who experience glare, 92% identify oncoming headlights as the main cause.

• Mirror reflections: About a third of those surveyed say they are blinded by glare reflected in their rearview or side mirrors.

• Road conditions: Glare problems are more prevalent on two-lane roads (75%) than on two-lane highways (50%), likely due to the greater proximity to oncoming traffic.

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Distribution of demographic data

Age did not have a significant impact

The survey identified specific groups that are disproportionately affected by lighting intensity. Drivers who wear prescription glasses reported higher rates of difficulty (70%) than those who do not (56%).

Additionally, 70% of female drivers reported glare issues, compared to 57% of male drivers.

As noted previously, vehicle height remains a major factor in the perception of glare. Pickup truck drivers, who sit higher than the ground, were least likely to report glare as a problem (41%). Notably, the study found that neither the driver’s age nor their physical size had a statistically significant impact on how they perceived the intensity of oncoming lights.

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Advantage of collision avoidance systems

Despite the frustration caused by headlight glare, AAA testing shows a potential safety benefit. Higher intensity headlights have improved the effectiveness of automatic emergency braking systems at night. Impact and collision prevention for these safety systems increased from 0% in 2019 to 60% in 2025, as brighter lights allow the system to operate more efficiently.

Automatic emergency braking systems are active safety technologies that use a combination of forward-facing cameras, radar and sensors to “see” people and other objects in the vehicle’s path. If the system detects an imminent collision and the driver does not react, it automatically applies the brakes.

The sensors rely on the vehicle’s headlights to illuminate the road when it’s dark, so more powerful LED arrays can improve the effectiveness of these pedestrian and collision avoidance systems at night.

Recommendations and good practices

If you own a vehicle without an auto-dimming rearview mirror, you likely have a small plastic tab located at the bottom center of your rearview mirror. While many drivers assume this is just an adjustment, it is actually a manual night tilt lever.

When a vehicle with bright lights is behind you, simply flip the tab toward you. The rearview mirror tilts inward, reflecting the glare away from your eyes and toward the roof of your car. Due to the way the glass is cut (wedge shaped), you will always see a dimmed “ghost” image of the headlights behind you, allowing you to track the vehicle’s position without being blinded.

Remember to return the tab to its original position the next morning.

AAA recommends never looking directly into the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. Instead, look on the right side of your lane to protect your eyes at night.