New AAA survey: 6 in 10 drivers struggle with headlight glare

AAA survey finds glare is worsening and affecting drivers, raising concerns about safety 

By AAA of Western and Central New York

A new AAA survey reveals a growing concern among drivers: headlight glare. Six in 10 drivers say glare is a problem after dark, and nearly three-quarters of those affected believe it has worsened over the past decade. The findings are renewing concerns about road safety, headlight regulations, and modern lighting standards.  

“Headlight glare has become a major source of frustration and concern for millions of drivers,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and research at AAA. “As vehicle lighting technology evolves, so must our understanding of glare, its impact, and the steps drivers can take to maintain safety.”  

Glare problems are worsening

Headlight glare continues to worsen for U.S. drivers, with 73% of those who experience it saying the problem has intensified over the past decade.

“Driven by several factors including new headlight technologies and taller vehicle designs, drivers are becoming frustrated with the issue of headlight glare,” Brannon said.   

Most drivers who experience glare cite oncoming headlights as the primary cause, with 92% identifying it as their top concern. About one third also report glare issues in their rearview or side mirrors.  

At the same time, AAA’s latest testing shows significant progress in nighttime pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB) performance, with impact avoidance improving from 0% in 2019 to 60% in 2025. Some of this increase could be due to improved sensor visibility due to headlight design.  

Additional survey findings:

•Drivers who wear prescription glasses (70%) experience more glare than those who do not (56%).   

•Pickup truck drivers are less likely to report glare (41%) than drivers of other vehicle types (66%).  

•Female drivers (70%) report glare more often than male drivers (57%).  

•Age alone does not show a statistically significant impact on likelihood to report glare being an issue.  

•The height of the driver does not significantly influence the likelihood of experiencing glare.

AAA encourages driver awareness and safer nighttime driving

AAA is committed to helping drivers stay safe. To help reduce headlight glare and improve overall nighttime visibility, AAA recommends drivers:   

•Ensure both headlights are clean, fully functional and of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) design.   

•Avoid looking directly at oncoming headlights to maintain visibility.  

•Visit an AAA Approved Auto Repair facility or NAPA Auto Care Center for professional headlight inspections, replacements, and aim adjustments.  

AAA will continue to research the topic and provide recommendations to industry on how we can work together to balance the ability to safely see the roadway with the growing concerns around headlight glare.

Methodology​: The survey was conducted Feb. 5-8, 2026, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of approximately 97% of the U.S. household population. Most surveys were completed online; consumers without Internet access were surveyed over the phone.​  

A total of 1,092 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older. The margin of error for the study overall is +/- 4% at the 95% confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins  

As upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides more than 850,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA WCNY has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.