AAA Survey Finds That Glare Is Worsening And Affecting drivers, Raising Concerns About Safety

A new AAA survey reveals a growing concern among drivers: headlight glare. 

Six in ten drivers say glare is a problem after dark, and nearly three-quarters of those affected believe it has worsened over the past decade. Officials say the findings are renewing concerns about road safety, headlight regulations, and modern lighting standards.

“Headlight glare has become a major source of frustration and concern for millions of drivers,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and research at AAA. “As vehicle lighting technology evolves, so must our understanding of glare, its impact, and the steps drivers can take to maintain safety.”

Headlight glare continues to worsen for U.S. drivers, with 73 percent of those who experience it saying the problem has intensified over the past decade. “Driven by several factors, including new headlight technologies and taller vehicle designs, drivers are becoming frustrated with the issue of headlight glare,” said Brannon.

Most drivers who experience glare cite oncoming headlights as the primary cause, with 92 percent identifying it as their top concern. About one third also report glare issues in their rearview or side mirrors.

At the same time, AAA’s latest testing shows significant progress in nighttime pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) performance, with impact avoidance improving from 0 percent in 2019 to 60 percent in 2025. Officials say some of this increase could be due to improved sensor visibility due to headlight design.

Drivers who wear prescription glasses (70 percent) experience more glare than those who don't (56 percent).

Pickup truck drivers are less likely to report glare (41 percent) than drivers of other vehicle types (66 percent).

Age alone does not show a statistically significant impact on likelihood to report glare being an issue.

The height of the driver does not significantly influence the likelihood of experiencing glare.

Drivers who experience glare report they experience the most difficulty with two-lane roads.