New Federal Review Could Change North Dakota Driving

We know this all too well: driving down a rural highway in North Dakota can be incredibly dangerous, especially after dark in the winter. Bright LED headlights coming at you from the opposite direction can make it even more difficult to see and drive safely. Federal officials are considering whether updating vehicle lighting standards could reduce headlight glare and make nighttime driving safer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Tuesday, Oct. 6th that it's reviewing federal lighting standards for LED headlights, automatic high beams, dusk sensors, replaceable light sources and other lighting technologies. They plan to look at the following areas:

• Headlight Glare
• Modernizing Lighting Technology
• Improving Performance
• Updating and Testing Materials
• Aligning Global Standards

According to KBTX.com, this will be the first time in 25 years that they will use negotiated rulemaking to update vehicle lighting standards.

It might not be as big an issue in cities with well-lit streets, but in a state like North Dakota, this is huge. Many residents drive miles of open highway after dark every single day.

What Could Change After the Federal Review

This doesn't mean there will be a ban on LED headlights, nor does it necessarily mean drivers need to replace their existing LED headlights. Any changes from this review would likely affect how headlights are designed and tested on future vehicles.

It could mean new vehicles must have reduced-glare headlights, so driving down Highway 2 or I-94 would be much better.

It could mean pickup trucks and SUV headlights would need to sit lower on the vehicle and be better tested for where they aim.

It could also mean that more cars will be made with adaptive headlights; these lights would selectively dim parts of the headlight beam around other cars.

Keep in mind this isn't a change North Dakota drivers will see overnight. Changes would only be implemented after the NHTSA consults with safety experts, industry stakeholders, and technical experts.