You’ve probably noticed it while driving at night: some lights seem brighter these days, almost as if the road has turned into a stage. Why this sudden dazzling effect? Is it your eyes getting tired, your car getting old… or is it just a technological advancement that’s a little too bright? The answer holds a few surprises—and, above all, solutions that are much simpler than you might think.
Why are our eyes more sensitive to modern headlights?
For several years now, many vehicles have been equipped with LED headlights, known for offering clearer visibility. A real advantage for lighting the road… but sometimes a bit of a challenge for our eyes.
Many female drivers report feeling uncomfortable when they encounter these whiter, more directional lights, especially after a long day or when driving in the rain.
The main problem? Concentrated light that can surprise and momentarily saturate the vision.
A single second is enough to lose your bearings, a bit like when you go from a dark room to a brightly lit aisle in a shop.
The result: a feeling of blurriness, hesitation, sometimes even the need to slow down to regain visual comfort.
When the height of the lights changes everything
Another factor that exacerbates this problem is the position of the headlights, especially on larger vehicles. Many people notice that when a large SUV approaches from the opposite direction, the light seems to hit them directly at eye level.
It’s not so much a question of power as of inclination.
The good news is that this parameter is easily checked and corrected. During vehicle inspections, the headlight alignment is systematically examined, as an angle that is too high can obstruct other road users, while an angle that is too low reduces the driver’s visibility.
Even without a visit to an auto center, certain everyday situations—such as rear passengers or a loaded trunk—can alter the beam height. On many cars, a simple manual adjustment restores optimal lighting.
