Modern headlights have become a point of national concern as drivers report increasing difficulty seeing the road when confronted with bright oncoming beams. The rise of high‑intensity LED systems has reshaped nighttime visibility, but it has also intensified questions about glare and its role in roadway safety. A new study created by Chaikin Trial Group examines federal crash records, state‑level patterns, and headlight performance research to understand how glare affects drivers and what the data reveals about risk. The findings show that while glare contributes to a relatively small share of crashes, its impact is concentrated among older drivers, rural roads, and vehicles with outdated lighting systems.
The analysis draws on FARS data from 2019 through 2023, during which 46,154 fatalities occurred in nighttime or non‑lighted conditions. Of those deaths, 446 were linked to glare obstructing a driver’s vision. This represents a small but meaningful share of nighttime crash outcomes, especially when considering how often drivers report discomfort or temporary blindness from bright headlights.
The study also compares LED and halogen systems, reviews state regulations, and evaluates how headlight ratings have changed over time. The result is a detailed picture of how glare affects drivers and how vehicle technology is evolving to reduce risk.
National Patterns in Glare‑Related Fatalities
The first step in understanding the issue is identifying where glare‑related fatalities occur most often. When adjusting for population, several states stand out for having disproportionately high fatality rates linked to headlight glare.
Top 10 States for Glare‑Related Fatalities per 100,000 Residents
2019 to 2023
| State | Fatalities | 2023 Population | Fatalities per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 19 | 5,117,673 | 0.37 |
| Kentucky | 17 | 4,512,310 | 0.38 |
| Virginia | 19 | 8,715,698 | 0.22 |
| Indiana | 16 | 6,833,037 | 0.23 |
| North Carolina | 18 | 10,835,491 | 0.17 |
| Georgia | 20 | 11,064,432 | 0.18 |
| California | 50 | 39,198,693 | 0.13 |
| Illinois | 16 | 12,549,689 | 0.13 |
| Florida | 30 | 22,904,868 | 0.13 |
| Texas | 30 | 30,727,890 | 0.10 |
California, Texas, and Florida appear at the top of the list in raw numbers, which aligns with their large populations and high vehicle volumes. However, the more revealing pattern emerges in smaller states such as Alabama and Kentucky, where fatality rates are significantly higher relative to population size. These states show a disproportionate share of glare‑related deaths, suggesting that demographic factors, road types, and vehicle age may play a role.
Older Drivers Face Higher Risk
The study highlights a striking trend: drivers aged 65 and older are disproportionately represented in glare‑related fatalities. Across the study period, 108 deaths involved older drivers, and several states show elevated fatality rates for this age group.
Top 10 States for Glare‑Related Fatalities Among Drivers 65 and Older
| State | Fatalities | 2023 65+ Population | Fatalities per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5 | 932,119 | 0.54 |
| Arizona | 5 | 1,437,731 | 0.35 |
| Virginia | 5 | 1,498,931 | 0.33 |
| North Carolina | 6 | 1,915,356 | 0.31 |
| Florida | 13 | 4,917,782 | 0.26 |
| Indiana | 3 | 1,181,568 | 0.25 |
| Texas | 10 | 4,194,990 | 0.24 |
| Illinois | 5 | 2,205,830 | 0.23 |
| Georgia | 3 | 1,699,250 | 0.18 |
| California | 9 | 6,311,919 | 0.14 |
Alabama again ranks highest, with a fatality rate more than double that of several larger states. Florida’s placement is also notable, given its large population of older drivers. The data suggests that age‑related vision changes, including sensitivity to bright light, may amplify the risks associated with modern headlight glare.
What the Crash Data Shows About Glare
The study incorporates findings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to understand how glare contributes to crash events. Across 11 states that distinguish between headlight glare and sun glare, headlight glare appears in only one or two out of every thousand nighttime crashes. Although the overall share is small, the circumstances of these crashes reveal consistent patterns.
Common Crash Factors Linked to Headlight Glare
- Single‑vehicle incidents
- Wet roads or rainy conditions
- Undivided two‑lane roads
- Lower speed limits
- Older drivers
- Older vehicles with outdated lighting systems
In a review of 220 nighttime crashes between 2017 and 2024, oncoming traffic accounted for 88 percent of glare sources. Trailing vehicles accounted for 8 percent, and lateral or parked vehicles made up the remaining 4 percent.
Driver Actions Leading to Crashes
| Driver Action | Percent of Cases |
|---|---|
| Lane departure to the right | 45 percent |
| Impeding object obscured | 23 percent |
| Misjudging a turn | 15 percent |
| Lane departure to the left | 12 percent |
| Other | 4 percent |
These patterns show that glare often disrupts a driver’s ability to maintain lane position or detect hazards, especially in low‑visibility environments.
LED vs. Halogen: How Technology Shapes Safety
One of the most significant findings in the study is the performance gap between LED and halogen headlights. LED systems tend to illuminate more of the roadway and maintain brightness longer, while halogen systems often receive lower performance ratings.
The IIHS headlight rating program, launched in 2016, has pushed automakers to improve headlight design. The first year of testing revealed that only one out of more than 80 headlight systems earned a good rating. By model year 2025, 51 percent of headlights tested received a good rating, and only 16 percent were rated marginal or poor.
Another key improvement involves glare reduction. In 2017, 21 percent of tested headlights produced excessive glare. By 2025, that number had dropped to 3 percent.
Crash Reductions Linked to Headlight Ratings
- Vehicles with good headlights: 19 percent fewer nighttime single‑vehicle crashes
- Vehicles with good headlights: 23 percent fewer nighttime pedestrian crashes
- Acceptable headlights: 15 percent reduction
- Marginal headlights: 10 percent reduction
These findings show that better headlights do not increase glare‑related crashes. Instead, they improve visibility and reduce overall crash risk.
Driver Perception and Public Concern
While the data shows that glare‑related crashes are relatively rare, public concern remains high. A United Kingdom study by the Royal Automobile Club found that 89 percent of drivers believe some headlights are too bright, and 28 percent believe the issue is widespread. The study also reported that dazzling headlights have contributed to approximately 280 collisions and six fatalities annually since 2013.
Additional findings include:
- 91 percent of drivers have felt dazzled
- 74 percent believe glare is a normal part of driving
- 67 percent have slowed down to regain vision
- 64 percent have worried about crashing due to glare
- 62 percent believe SUV headlight height worsens glare
- 16 percent avoid nighttime driving due to glare
- 44 percent attribute glare to misaligned headlights
- 65 percent say recovery takes one to five seconds
In the United States, concerns have led to petitions calling for restrictions on overly bright headlights. As of January 2026, more than 78,000 Americans had signed a petition submitted to Congress.
Additional Hazards Linked to Headlight Technology
The study also identifies several modern vehicle features that may unintentionally increase risk.
Examples of Technology‑Related Hazards
- The Ghost Car glitch, in which illuminated dashboards cause drivers to believe headlights are on when they are not
- Scattered Light hazards caused by oxidized or cloudy lenses, which can reduce illumination by up to 80 percent and increase glare by 60 percent
These issues highlight the importance of both technology design and vehicle maintenance.
The Path Forward
The data shows that glare is a real but limited contributor to nighttime crashes. It affects older drivers most significantly and is more likely to occur on rural, undivided roads. At the same time, improvements in headlight design have reduced excessive glare and improved roadway visibility.
Manufacturers have also streamlined headlight offerings. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of headlight systems available per vehicle model dropped by 17 percent, and more automakers now equip vehicles with a single good‑rated system. Examples include the Acura RDX, BMW 5 Series, Hyundai Palisade, and Subaru Outback.
Overall, the study created by Chaikin Trial Group concludes that high‑quality LED headlights offer substantial safety benefits. There is no evidence that improved headlights have increased glare‑related crashes, and the trend toward better‑rated systems suggests continued progress.
Drivers, especially older adults and those operating older vehicles, should remain cautious on wet or rural roads and consider maintenance steps such as lens restoration. With continued improvements in design and regulation, the risks associated with glare can be further reduced.