Blinded by the light

Blinded by the light

Six in ten drivers struggle with headlight glare. Here's what you can do about it.
Christine Szudzik
A car with bright headlights approaches another car on a two-lane road.

When was the last time you thought about your headlights?

If you're like most drivers, probably recently. A new AAA study confirms what we’ve all been thinking; vehicle headlights are bright! 

Six in ten drivers say they struggle with headlight glare

AAA’s latest Headlight Survey shows just how widespread the problem is — and why it matters more than ever. 

Our survey found that:

  • Drivers who wear prescription glasses (70%) experience more glare than those who do not (56%).
  • Pickup truck drivers are less likely to report glare (41%) than drivers of other vehicle types (66%).
  • Female drivers (70%) report glare more often than male drivers (57%).
  • Age alone does not show a statistically significant impact on likelihood to report glare being an issue.
  • The height of the driver does not significantly influence the likelihood of experiencing glare.
     
Two-lane roads pose the most challenges

 

The good news: a few small changes can make a big difference — for your visibility and everyone else's on the road. Here's where to start:

Inspect your headlights regularly
Most drivers check tire pressure and oil levels… but headlights? Not so much. A quick look can reveal fogging, yellowing, dimming or alignment issues.

Clean or restore lenses
Headlight restoration kits — or professional services — can dramatically improve brightness for older lenses.

Aim matters
Misaligned headlights can blind oncoming drivers or leave your own lane underlit. A service center can fix this in minutes.

These aren't costly repairs. They’re small changes with huge safety payoffs.

Better safety starts with awareness

This survey shines a light on an issue many drivers overlook. Improving visibility is one of the simplest steps we can take for safer roads. Let’s help drivers see the road — and the risks — a little more clearly. 

Read the full survey via AAA's Newsroom.  

 

Don't wait until glare becomes a danger. Get your headlights inspected at a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop near you and save 10% on labor costs.

FIND A SHOP NEAR YOU

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