Are LED Headlights Too Bright? Many Drivers Think So

They're not illegal. Why are they not illegal? Why should I be penalized for wanting to use my rearview mirror without being blinded? And, by the way, the use of the rearview mirror is probably recommended by 100% of all driving instructors. Just sayin'.

It's Not Just You

Dear Whoever You Are...

I was driving home one night when a series of large vehicles and one mid-sized one gathered in my rearview and side mirrors. All of them seemed to be competing to see who had the brightest headlights. Since I decided to be the judge, I called it a tie across the board. Then I sped up to minimize the intensity of their extinction-level headlight beams. That didn't work, so I tilted the mirrors to cut the glare, but in a way that would still keep them useful. It didn't work, as it sometimes doesn't. So I just decided to drive in a way that reduces their necessity. In other words, I decided not to pass anyone and then counted the seconds until I could turn into my neighborhood.

So, to whom it may concern, isn't my ability to see while driving just as important as everyone else's? (You don't have to answer; it was a rhetorical question.)

Signed,

The Third Blues Brother (get it? Sunglasses?)

I'm happy to learn that I'm hardly alone here.

Soft Lights Foundation

So I searched this topic and was surprised at how quickly a story popped up from sportscarmarket.com. The writer, John Draneas, was relating the same thing I'm here to discuss. And then, Draneas mentions an organization called the Soft Lights Foundation. On its website, you can submit an "LED incident report," which will be sent to the US Food and Drug Administration and other agencies. With no guarantees whatsoever that this will move the needle, your submission might end up being no more than "getting it off your chest." But your voice will be heard, and that's important.

Also, keep in mind that while the Soft Lights Foundation is offering this opportunity, it reminds us that the United States government is not collecting information on those whose vehicles use LED lights. That's because it's not illegal, and LED lights are not regulated.

But, like any petition, if there are enough complainants, that needle might actually move.

Does Toothpaste Really Clean Your Vehicle's Foggy Headlights? [Life Hack Test]

According to Carhop.com, cloudy headlights are a relatively modern issue. Originally, car manufacturers used glass domes for the front of their headlights until sometime in the 1980s when they switched to "polycarbonate or plastic" I assume because it was cheaper. Unlike glass, plastic is more susceptible to oxidation which is caused by the UV light created naturally by the sun. Dust, debris, and road grime also contribute to clouding up your lights.

They also say toothpaste can be used to clear that cloudiness thanks to the same mild abrasives that also remove plaque and other gunk from your mouth. As someone who has to see it or try it before I believe it, I decided to give it a shot by following their steps and seeing for myself if they were right.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan