While driving at night, you may feel like you need to squint as bright beams of white light from an oncoming car wash over your windscreen.
Don't worry... you're not alone.
Complaints about what appears to be an increase in the brightness of headlights on roads around the world have become more frequent in recent years.
A 2025 study by the UK Department for Transport found that 97% of respondents were regularly or sometimes distracted by oncoming vehicles, and 96% thought most or some headlights were too bright.
In New Zealand, AA technical support lead Allister Wade said the organisation "occasionally" receives complaints about brightness and, similarly, glare from road markings.
People have taken to the internet to vent their frustrations about overly bright headlights, with users on the Reddit forum r/f***yourheadlights sharing stories about their experiences on the roads and arguing for better regulations.
An online petition calling for a ban on "blinding headlights" in the US has obtained more than 78,000 signatures.
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In Canada, the Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a motion directing the government to establish clear, enforceable limits on headlight brightness.
So why does it feel like headlights are becoming so bright now?
According to Wade, vehicle manufacturers have switched to LED headlights rather than the older yellowish halogen bulbs.
The new lights are more effective at improving night-time visibility and are more energy-efficient, lasting longer.
Another reason headlights appear brighter, Wade explained, is the growing range of vehicles on New Zealand's roads.
"The headlights for SUVs and other larger vehicles sit higher and may be more glaring to people in smaller cars," he said.
He said that while newer lights were more effective, their glare could pose a hazard.
"It’s a tricky issue to solve. Modern LED lights do help make the environment brighter and sharper for better visibility of the road ahead, but this can also be experienced as glare.
"So having a modern vehicle is likely to make your driving more illuminated and safer, but on the flipside, your headlights may be overly bright to others."
What can road users do to make driving at night safer?
Wade said drivers with brighter lights and higher vehicles should "ensure their high beams are not used unnecessarily and remember to dip your own headlights when oncoming traffic approaches".
"Some cars have automatic dimming lights, but may miss smaller road users, like cyclists – so ensure you know how to dip them manually too. This includes driving in heavy rain or fog."
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To avoid headlight glare, Wade said motorists should keep their windshields and mirrors clean and free of dirt, grime, and streaks.
Some cars have automatic-dimming mirrors that reduce glare from behind. Those without can manually adjust their mirrors to avoid being dazzled.
It was also recommended that, if your vehicle allows it, you dim your vehicle's dashboard lights.
"Having a bright dashboard can make the glare from the headlights worse," Wade said.
"You may also consider when you last had an eye test."
While on the road, if a car with bright lights approaches, Wade said: "Don't stare into the lights."
"Focus on the edge of the left side of the lane, while keeping the oncoming vehicle in peripheral vision.
"If you’re struggling to see clearly, slow down to maintain control and avoid any sudden vehicle movements."
According to New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)'s vehicle inspection guidelines, headlights must:
- Not emit light that was substantially white or amber.
- Not be different colours.
- Not be unsteady.
- Not too dim, or too bright for the road.
Under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, drivers must dip their headlights when approaching other road users.
"That means you should only have your headlights on full beam (also known as 'high beam') when you're not around other people and driving on an unlit or poorly-lit road," NZTA has previously said.
1News approached NZTA to enquire if any complaints about bright headlights had been made, but the agency did not respond.
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