The 2014 Chevrolet Impala’s new headlamps provide enhanced visibility to help drivers see, especially when driving at night. According to a study cited by the Federal Highway Administration, the risk of a fatality at night among drivers not impaired by alcohol is more than two times higher than in daytime due to less visibility.

High-intensity discharge (or HID) headlamps like those on the new Impala can help drivers see objects in the road sooner than other types of headlamps, allowing for greater stopping distance, according to a 2009 study conducted by the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

According to GM, all 2014 Impala models are equipped with projector beam headlamp technology, a first for the redesigned flagship sedan. The LS and LT models use halogen projectors, while the up-level LTZ uses HID bi-functional xenon projectors that offer brighter illumination.

Both types of projector distribute light evenly across the front of the car, providing a wider range of visibility than other headlamps, says GM. Impala’s new headlamps use curved reflectors and “prescription” lenses designed to project brighter light farther and with more directional accuracy. In addition, they also feature a light shield designed to reduce glare for oncoming traffic.

“Safety and customer satisfaction drove design and development of Impala’s new headlamps,” said Todd Pawlik, Impala chief engineer. “We benchmarked them against the best in the industry.”