carwreck.com: around Boston harbor...

This article on Cars.com which was linked from Boston.com totally misses the point of why many headlights on cars are perceived to be too bright. The article smashes HID headlights as being the bane of other drivers when in fact it is ANY headlight which is poorly aimed. The HIDs which they bash are not any more powerful than regular Halogen headlights. I blame most of the problem on the poor requirements which the Federal government has put on headlights in the US. The so-called DOT (Department of Transportation) headlights mandated in this country try to put light all over the place and usually fall short of providing an even pattern of lighting.

I've used European headlights on my cars for several years now and will never switch back. Technically, they are illegal in this country because they are not DOT approved but European headlights have much better-designed reflectors and lenses which spread light evenly across the road. They concentrate light lower down and have a "sharp cutoff" which means that light does not shine above a certain point and into other driver's eyes. These headlights come with very specific instructions on how to aim them and, when aimed properly, do not shine light at oncoming drivers. I can successfully run considerably higher-wattage bulbs in my lights and no one ever flashes their lights at me in complaint. Just make sure to not be around when I switch to my highbeams, I'll incinerate you.

Instead of making new laws, banning HID headlights and generally reinventing the wheel, the US should take a look at the excellent headlight technology which already exists elsewhere around the world.

i second the motion... i had those bulbs in my M3 and they made all the differnece in the world... i could see beter and drive more confidently at night... much to the chagrin of any white knuckled passengers that might be with me at the time.

i also second the incineration statement... i have been charred to a crisp a couple times myself under their glaring gaze.

I fully agree with you. I'd love to have a set of european headlights to fond.... I mean illuminate the road with... :P