Vancouver city council approved a resolution last week, urging the federal government to tackle the issue of excessively bright vehicle headlights. The mayor will send a letter to Transport Canada, pushing for action to address the problem by updating national vehicle safety standards. Councilor Sean Orr, who introduced the motion during the recent meeting, expressed astonishment at the legality of these blinding headlights when he first encountered them on the road.
According to experts, the LED headlights found on newer vehicles emit a brighter, bluer light compared to the warmer halogen lights traditionally used in cars, causing discomfort and squinting among individuals. The motion highlights the escalating prevalence of overly bright car headlights in Vancouver, posing a significant concern for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Margie Sanderson of Vision Zero Vancouver, an organization advocating for improved street safety, emphasized that not only are modern headlights brighter, but they are also positioned higher on larger vehicles, directly shining into oncoming eyes. Sanderson underscored the safety hazards posed by these intense lights and pointed out that other regions such as Europe and Asia have more stringent headlight regulations than North America.
Sanderson suggested that the federal government could impose stricter rules on manufacturers to address this issue effectively. She also noted that some autobody shops have the technology to assess headlight brightness for those seeking to check their vehicle’s headlights. To mitigate the blinding effect of bright headlights, Sanderson recommended driving cautiously, maintaining ample following distance, and utilizing the night mode feature on car mirrors where available.
The city plans to present this resolution at the upcoming annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference. Sanderson concluded by emphasizing the importance of proper headlight alignment to illuminate the road effectively and ensure optimal visibility for drivers.