AAA survey: Most drivers say headlight glare worsening, impacting safety

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

WASHINGTON (KBSI) — AAA says a majority of U.S. drivers report struggling with headlight glare, raising concerns about nighttime driving safety.

A new AAA survey found six in 10 drivers say headlight glare is a problem after dark, with nearly three-quarters of those drivers reporting the issue has worsened over the past decade.

“Headlight glare has become a major source of frustration and concern for millions of drivers,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering and research.

AAA said oncoming headlights are the primary source of glare, cited by 92% of affected drivers. About one-third also reported issues with glare in rearview or side mirrors.

The survey found drivers who wear prescription glasses report glare more frequently than those who do not. Female drivers also reported experiencing glare more often than male drivers, while pickup truck drivers were less likely to report the issue.

AAA said newer lighting technologies and taller vehicle designs may be contributing to increased glare.

At the same time, the organization noted improvements in nighttime pedestrian automatic emergency braking systems, which have increased in effectiveness in recent years.

AAA recommends drivers keep headlights clean and properly aligned, avoid looking directly at oncoming lights and have headlights inspected when needed.

The survey was conducted in February among more than 1,000 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.