NHTSA Launches First Lighting Rulemaking in 25 Years to Address Glare

Key points

• NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that current standards hinder the deployment of modern safety lighting technologies.
• The rulemaking will examine five areas: glare impact, LED/dusk sensor rules, headlamp height/aim, test procedures, and international harmonization.
• Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy will appoint up to 18 stakeholders to the committee, with public comments due by November 9, 2026.
• A AAA survey found 60% of drivers consider glare a problem, with 73% believing it has worsened in the last decade.
• IIHS data indicates glare was cited in only 0.1-0.2% of nighttime crashes, though good-rated headlights reduce single-vehicle crashes by 19%.
• Rivian’s Dynamic Adventure Lighting, using matrix LEDs, was the first activated in the U.S. in 2025, while Audi plans to offer similar tech in 2027.

Background

This move follows NHTSA’s 2022 approval of adaptive driving beam headlights, which had been available globally for a decade but were delayed in the U.S. due to strict glare standards. Recent archive coverage highlights ongoing tensions between NHTSA and automakers regarding safety standards, such as the 2026 dispute over Tesla’s Cybercab and the slow adoption of adaptive lighting despite its potential to reduce night-time fatalities, which account for half of traffic deaths despite only a quarter of driving occurring after dark.

How outlets are covering it

Road & Track frames the NHTSA action as a long-overdue modernization, emphasizing the agency’s intent to update outdated rules. WardsAuto highlights the technological leap, noting Rivian’s early adoption of matrix headlights and Audi’s upcoming entry, suggesting a shift toward advanced lighting despite regulatory hurdles. AUTO Connected Car News provides a critical view, contrasting the high level of public frustration with glare (cited by 60% of drivers) against IIHS data showing minimal crash correlation. It notes that while glare complaints are frequent, they do not necessarily translate to crash risk, and questions whether the new rules will actually reduce the perceived blinding effect on roads. The outlets agree on the need for change but differ on the urgency and the link between glare and safety outcomes.

Why it matters

The modernization of FMVSS 108 could accelerate the adoption of advanced lighting technologies like adaptive and matrix headlights, potentially improving night-time visibility and safety. However, the disconnect between public perception of glare as a major issue and crash data suggests that regulatory changes may need to balance comfort with actual safety metrics. The outcome could influence global harmonization of lighting standards and impact the design of future vehicles, particularly SUVs and pickups, which are more prone to glare issues due to higher light placement.

What to watch

The public has until November 9, 2026, to comment on the scope of the rulemaking and nominate committee members via regulations.gov. NHTSA will then convene the committee to draft new standards, which could take several years to finalize. Automakers like Rivian and Audi are already deploying advanced lighting, but widespread adoption depends on the outcome of this rulemaking. The agency may also revisit test procedures and glare limits, potentially aligning U.S. standards with international norms.