NHTSA Issues Rule on Adaptive Driving Beam Headlights

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release about their final rule allowing adaptive driving beam headlights on new vehicles. According to the final rule, automakers will be allowed to install adaptive driving beam headlights on new vehicles. This rule being issued fulfills a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law mandate more than a year and a half early. The NHTSA reports that this rule will help to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and help prevent crashes by better illuminating animals and objects in and near roadways.  

What Are Adaptive Driving Beam Headlight Systems? 

Adaptive driving beam headlight systems (ADB) utilize technology to automatically change the amount of light shining onto the different portions of the roadway. These ADB systems can shine less light on occupied areas of the road and more light on unoccupied areas of the road. This technology is most beneficial for distance illumination of pedestrians, animals and objects without compromising the visibility of drivers in other vehicles.  

This technology means that you may have better visibility of pedestrians and other vulnerable roadway users or potential hazards without having to switch completely to your brights. There are lots of times when you might really want to turn your brights on for better illumination of a dark roadway, but can’t due to oncoming traffic, so ADB technology could be a real game changer in pedestrian safety, cyclist safety and overall roadway safety.  

Safety Technology in New Vehicles  

According to the new rule, manufacturers are now allowed to offer ADB technology and establish performance requirements for these systems to make sure they operate safely. At this time, there’s no word on exactly what date this technology is going to be rolling out into new vehicles, but safety advocates are hopeful that when it does, it will help to make U.S. roadways a little bit safer.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a dangerous or distracted driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.