**The Brightening of Headlights: A Safety Concern**

Headlights in cars have advanced exponentially over the past 20 years, and their brightness is no exception. They are certainly brighter now than they were before, but has this increased brightness become a problem? The answer lies in understanding the history, types, and potential solutions to the issues caused by overly bright headlights.

**The History of Headlights**

The first headlight, as we know it today, was introduced in 1908. Initially, they were a high-priced upgrade, but by 1911, the carbon bulb became the industry standard. Federal laws were passed requiring cars not only to have electric headlights but also to produce a certain amount of light, measured in lumens, and point only in specific directions.

**Measuring Light: Lumens**

Headlights, like any other light source, are measured in lumens. This measurement indicates the brightness of the light emitted by the source. In simple terms, lumens is a way to quantify how bright a light is.

**Advancements in Headlight Technology**

Over the years, advancements have been made in headlight technology. The introduction of halogen bulbs in the early 60s increased the brightness of headlights. Although not the most efficient technology, halogen bulbs are still used in many modern headlights today. A standard halogen headlight produces around 1,300 lumens, which is equivalent to about four Maglites.

**Brighter Alternatives: LED and HID Lights**

Slightly brighter than halogen bulbs are LED lights. These emit an average of 1,600 lumens but are more efficient and have a longer lifespan. HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights are even brighter, producing around 3,000 lumens. Xenon headlights are another type of HID light commonly used in high-end vehicles.

**The Newest Innovation: Laser Headlights**

Laser headlights are the latest innovation in headlight technology. They emit a very focused beam of light, making them extremely bright and energy-efficient. However, there is concern about their potential impact on drivers' eyesight.

**Adjusting Headlights for Safety**

If your headlights are not aimed correctly, it's essential to adjust them to prevent accidents. One simple way to check if your headlights are properly aimed is by using a roll of masking tape and a screwdriver. Mark the center of each headlight on a wall, then back up 25 feet and look at the marks. The lights should be about two inches lower than the mark and slightly to the right (or left) depending on your location.

**Automated Headlight Adjustment Systems**

Some cars come equipped with auto-leveling headlights that automatically adjust their aim based on the car's angle. These systems use front and rear sensors to readjust the headlights, ensuring they are always correctly aimed.

**The Dangers of High Beams in Low Light Conditions**

Using high beams when it's not necessary can be hazardous, especially in low light conditions. A driver who fails to turn off their lights in a rainstorm or at night can cause accidents by blinding other drivers.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, while brighter headlights have improved visibility on the road, there is concern about the potential dangers of overly bright headlights and the lack of proper aiming adjustment. By understanding the history and technology behind headlights, we can better appreciate the importance of maintaining them properly to ensure safe driving conditions for all.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Technology in carshas advanced exponentiallyin the past 20 years, andheadlights are no exception.They're for sure brighter,but have headlights gottenso bright that they're bad?(upbeat gentle music)Headlights are a safety feature.Without them, you wouldn'tbe able to drive at night.Other drivers wouldn't beable to see you at night,which is great if you're smuggling drugsin a black Lambo, wearingnight-vision goggles,but not great if you'rejust trying to get home.But some newer headlights,whether they're insanely brightor just aimed incorrectlycreate enough glare to distractand even blind other drivers.We're gonna talk a little bitabout the history of headlightsthen go over the various typesbefore we get into the problemsand the potential solutions.- Do a cartwheel Nolen.- Kartwheel.Everyone and their mothercan do a cartwheel.- I never--- But before we get tothat, like this video.The first headlight, as wethink of headlights nowadays,was introduced in 1908.Initially they were a high-priced upgrade,but by 1911 the carbon bulbwas the industry standard.Pretty early on, federal laws were passedthat dictated cars not onlyhad to have electric headlightsbut they had to produce acertain amount of light,measured in lumens, and pointonly in specific directions.Headlights, same as anyother light in general,are measured in lumens.Put simply, lumens is ameasurement of the brightnessof the light that a source emits.In the early 60's,Italian auto manufacturersstarted using halogen bulbs.They were essentially incandescent lights,not unlike the ones found in your house,but they had additions like bromide.Bromide?- Brah-mide.- Brah-mide.Bromide.Bromide, what's up, dude?I didn't take chemistryin high school. (laughs)But they had additionslike bromide and iodinethat made the bulbs glow brighter.Although the technologyisn't the most efficient,halogen bulbs are still usedin the majority of headlights today.A standard halogen headlight will put outaround 1,300 lumens.To put that in perspective,that's the same as about four Maglites.Is this a gang sign? (laughs)(typing)(ding)Slightly brighter than thehalogen bulbs are LED lights.These lights put out about1,600 lumens on average,but are much more efficientand have a longer life than halogen.HID, or high intensity discharge bulbs,are significantly brighterthan halogen and LED.And you may know them byanother more common name, xenon.Xenon headlights produce,on average, 3,000 lumens,more than double that of halogen bulbs.BMW was the first to usethem in their 7 Series Sedan,which is probably why you associaterich (coins clinking) holeswith xenon headlights,but guess what, it gets worse.Laser headlights, whatthe (coins clinking).Laser headlights can befound on new BMW i8s,and 7 Series, and the Audi R8.Apart from being the smallestand most efficient of the bunch.- Lasers.- Can also be up to fourtimes as bright as LEDs.Come on, who asked for this?♪ It's time for Nolan's random fact. ♪All you Renault, Peugeot,and Citroen fans be likewe have the warmest lightsin France, ho ho ho ho.Well, it may be true that French carshad yellow headlights for a while,but it wasn't because ofthe color temperature.From the beginning of WorldWar II to around 1993,France required that allcars have yellow headlightsto distinguish themselvesfrom enemy vehicles.The law stuck aroundlong after the war ended.It was only when the EU forced Franceto conform to its standardsthat the yellow headlightslaw was dropped.So like I said at the top,headlights are getting brighter,but brightness isn't the only thingthat's making headlights dangerous.A study done by AML Sytems foundthat nearly 10% of cars on the roadhave incorrectly positioned headlights.That doesn't sound like much,but for people that livein the cities like L.A.,you're seeing around 3,000 cars a day,so if 10% of those cars havebeams that are aimed poorly,that's like 300 cars.Those headlights account for anywherefrom 3 to 30% more glarethan the National Highwayand Traffic Safely Administration allows.Misaim is caused byanything from a bumpy road,to luggage in the trunk,to low tire pressure,but the overwhelming amountof misaimed headlightscome from improperly positioned headlightsthat the owner or mechanic installed.If you've installed headlightsand you didn't measure the beam correctly,chances are they arepositioned incorrectly.Here's something you can do.This method of checking to seeif your headlights are positionedcorrectly is super easy.All you need is a roll ofmasking tape, and a screwdriver.Let's do it in my car.Find a location with awall and a level surface.Pull your car right up against the walland turn on your low beams.Using the tape, markthe center of the car.Find the horizontalmiddle of each headlightand mark it on the wall using the tape.Now, mark the vertical center linefor each headlight using the tape.Then take a milk break.(people cheering)Hop in your car, andback up twenty five feet.Now, look at the lights on the wall.They should be about twoinches lower than the mark,and slightly to the right.If you live in an areathat drives on the left,your headlights shouldbe slightly to the left.Now that you've checked and foundthat your headlightsare aimed incorrectly,it's time to adjust them.Pop the hood and look atthe top of the headlight.There are two screws,one for vertical adjustment,and one for horizontal.While your car is stillpointing at the wall,adjust the headlights accordingly.Ta-Da!You've done it.(celebratory video game music)That was easy.- Yeah do a cartwheel dude.- You could do a cartwheel.everyone and their mothercan do a cartwheel.(crowd cheering)- Yeah, that was good.- Some cars actually haveauto-leveling headlights.AML Systems, the samecompany who made that study,makes a system that automatically measuresand adjusts headlights on its own.The LuMEMS System, possiblythe corniest named systemin the automotive industry,uses front and rear sensors on the chassisto read and reposition the headlightsdepending on the car's angle.Wrongly positioned lowbeams are one thing,but drivers who use highbeams when it's not necessaryare a whole nother level of dangerous,and you know who I'm talking about.(heavy metal riff)You could be driving downthe the 10, in the rain.Next thing you know you'retrying to change lanes,but there is some 1995C-Class, silver mind you,with his lights off,right in your blind spot.Next thing you know, you're on Instagramwith a hashtag #mustangsinthewild,and it's not even your faultbecause that guy didn'tturn his lights on.Look there's a lot of pressurewhen you have a Mustang.People are watching you.(beeping)So, how bright is too bright?Well, if your headlightsare aimed properlyyou shouldn't need--- Freakin' laser beams- To light up the road.Thanks for watching Wheel House.It's the show where aslightly unhinged guywho believes in aliens, goeson rants about car stuff.Subscribe if you wanna see more of that.Follow me on Instagram @nolanjsykes.Follow Donut at @donutmedia.