Nissan Improves Headlight Technology to Reduce Glare and Enhance Safety

As winter is now here, drivers face the challenge of driving in the dark with the increased illumination of LED headlights. While these headlights allow drivers to see more clearly ahead, they can cause additional glare for drivers in the oncoming lane. This has led to growing frustration for nighttime drivers. 

Nissan, being committed to protecting people and helping drivers avoid risky situations, is enhancing headlight technology.

Brad Chisholm, an engineer on the exterior Lights, Mirrors, and Wipers team at Nissan Technical Center North America, explained that with advancements in LED technology, Nissan engineers can create headlights that enhance visibility for everyone. 

He adds that Nissan has been designing a precise low-beam headlight pattern that illuminates the road and reduces glare. This "anti-glare notch" makes it easier for oncoming drivers to see without being dazzled by approaching lights.

"We have the ability to carve out that area of the oncoming lane with everything around it being bright and the inside being super dark," Chisholm said. "We're able to push the limits using LEDs."

LEDs are brighter, about 80% more energy-efficient, and last many times longer than halogen bulbs. They also allow designers to push the design limits, as they are smaller than halogen bulbs despite being more than twice as bright. With the advent of LEDs becoming even more efficient, designers have more freedom to create innovative designs.

Nissan offers LEDs as standard or optional equipment on all 2024 U.S. models. The company's High Beam Assist is also included with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which automatically turns high beams on or off based on traffic and lighting conditions.

The 2024 Nissan Frontier features LED headlights in its SL, PRO-X, and PRO-4X grades. LED lighting is also optional on the Nissan Titan pickup truck.  

Agencies like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are testing for glare in vehicle evaluations. The Nissan Rogue and Murano received the IIHS' top headlight rating in recent tests. The agency noted that the low-beam headlights of both crossovers never exceeded glare limits.

Nissan engineers ensure the newest generation of LED headlights continues to delight drivers without dazzling those facing them. With adaptive driving beam headlights approved in the U.S., these lights can move the anti-glare notch in real-time to adjust for oncoming vehicles' positions.