If you are one of the many people who are somewhat hesitant to navigate Nashville roadways in the dark, you may have good reason. Driving at nighttime can increase your risk of getting into an auto accident by nearly three times, according to the National Safety Council. Although there are several reasons why nighttime driving can be hazardous, headlight glare may be one of the most common hazards drivers encounter.
Bright headlights that shine in your eyes while you’re driving can affect you in a number of ways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. First, it can cause temporary blindness, as it can take several moments for your eyes to recover once they have been hit by an intense glare. During this time, your vision may limited and it can be difficult to see other objects and drivers on the road. As a result, you may experience decreased reaction times to driving hazards as well. In addition, headlight glare can reduce your range of visibility, which means that you may not be able to see as far as you normally would.
Studies have been conducted to detect how to limit, reduce or even eliminate headlight glare. The NHTSA reported that the height at which the headlights are mounted, as well as what type of light source is used can affect glare. In addition, some headlights are aimed at different angles, such as slightly upward or downward, which can induce serious glare as well.
This information is intended to be used for educational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice.