Shining a Head Light on Safety

Imagine driving at night with high beams constantly on — without blinding oncoming drivers (or drivers in front of you with the rearview-mirror rebound). Well, the technology to pull off this feat is available and enjoyed in various countries. Unfortunately, the United States is lagging behind.

Adaptive driving beams (ADBs) are headlights that utilize a system of LED lights, cameras, and sensors to detect other cars on the road and adjust their light patterns accordingly. Some ADB systems use shutters within the headlamp assembly, while others utilize multiple LEDs, some of which disable when their light is directed at another vehicle. In other words, the light emanating from your ADB headlights will dim for the occupants of vehicles in your light’s path but will retain full brightness to the sides or over top of said vehicles.
ADBs help drivers maintain good visibility without lifting a finger, making it easier to spot animals, pedestrians, and bicyclists and navigate curves without impairing the vision of other motorists. AAA conducted a study and found that ADB lighting systems improved roadway lighting by as much as 86% and produced no more glare than standard low beams.

ADBs have been taboo in this country due to a standard that car headlights need distinct low and high beams. ADBs don’t meet this standard. The Infrastructure and Jobs Act passed in November 2021 seemingly gave the go-ahead for ADBs; however, a few bureaucratic and specifications bugs apparently still need to be worked out before automakers can incorporate the technology in all its intended glory … hopefully soon.

If you are injured due to the negligence of another driver, contact our firm to protect your rights.