Bothered by bright headlights? Your time to tell Transport Canada is running out

People who feature been unnatural by headlamp smartness or brilliance while driving at night have one more day to complete a national survey.

Transport Canada's survey closes tomorrow on April 20.

"While new headlight technology in vehicles can help drivers see better, they can also cause problems for other road users," Transport Canada says on the survey page. 

Dr. Rachael Berger, a Saskatoon-based optometrist, said that adult patients of all ages have reported struggling with the intense, harsh glare of modern LED (light-emitting diode) and laser headlights.

"I have had patients, anywhere from new drivers to drivers later in their years, across the board saying this is an issue," she said.

However, she said younger drivers are often the most vulnerable to intense headlights because of their anatomy.

"Young patients tend to have larger pupils, so that larger pupil size does allow in more light."

She welcomes the national consultation and recognition of the issue after hearing the concerns of so many patients in her examination room.

"Once we talk about it more collectively, that's when the actual change happens," she said. "I'm happy to talk about it with my patients and try to find solutions, but if the actual vehicle causing the problem can also be adapted and changed — gosh, that will cut down on that conversation so much." 

From a mechanical standpoint, experts say the automotive lighting industry has undergone a massive shift in recent decades.

Ian Manderscheid, a mechanic and car-focused content creator, said the industry's pivot from standard halogen bulbs to high-intensity laser technology has fundamentally changed what drivers encounter on the open road.

"Traditionally our headlights might be 1,000 lumen ... There are anywhere between 3,000 and 4,000 lumen now," he said.

"And some after-market headlight assemblies that you're buying, there are 10,000 lumens. So it's much, much brighter. "

While these technological advancements, including adaptive headlights that shift with the steering wheel, are designed to help drivers detect hazards like wildlife more effectively, Manderscheid acknowledges the significant trade-off for motorists in other vehicles. 

Transport Canada is encouraging all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, to share their experiences before the survey closes. 

The survey is the latest piece in the government’s ongoing research into headlight glare.

Last year, researchers conducted a test-track study to examine the relationship between modern headlights and driving performance, and results are expected to come out in May, Transport Canada said. 

Once the current survey closes, the government will publish a summary of feedback to its website.

Reporter & Associate Producer

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