The US government is set to overhaul car headlight regulations, aiming to bring the US in line with global standards and embracing the latest lighting technologies. This move is part of a broader effort to improve road safety and innovation in automotive lighting.

Jonathan Morrison of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated: ‘Today’s standards do not allow automakers to deploy the latest safety-improving lighting technologies, so we are bringing key experts and stakeholders together to modernize our standards and address potential causes of glare.’

When Ars started covering cars, the lag in US regulations meant that brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, and Volvo were unable to import advanced adaptive headlight technology. At the time, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards only allowed for basic high- and low-beam lights.

The new process will involve a negotiated rulemaking, bringing together experts to update outdated regulations. The hope is that this will not only foster innovation but also make the roads safer for all, by addressing the potential causes of glare and enhancing driver visibility.