Assemblyman Brian Miller (R, C-New Hartford), Minority Ranker of the Assembly Transportation Committee, announced new legislation aimed at tackling one of the fastest-growing safety concerns on New York’s roads: the blinding glare from oncoming modern vehicle headlights. As automotive lighting technology has advanced, particularly with the widespread adoption of Light Emitting Diode (LED) and High-Intensity Discharge (HID) systems, rising vehicle heights, and inaccurate headlight angle alignments, the intensity and prevalence of headlight glare has increased.

Miller is sponsoring Assembly bill A.9093, the Brightness Emission Analysis for Motorist Safety (BEAMS) Act, which directs the Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, working with SUNY, CUNY, and the College of Optometry, to conduct an independent, evidence-based, comprehensive study on the safety impacts of LED and other high-intensity headlights. The study will evaluate glare intensity, alignment standards, health effects, and accident data, with findings reported back to the Legislature within one year.

Excessive low-beam headlight glare or brightness has become a growing safety concern for motorists across not only the State, but also the nation. While newer automotive headlights may reduce certain collision risks for motorists, the unintended consequences for oncoming motorists, including impaired vision and temporary blindness, must be examined. The findings of this comprehensive study shall be shared with appropriate Federal agencies and authorities for their consideration in developing State and Federal policy.

• LED headlights are extremely bright (up to 6,000 lumens), last tens of thousands of hours, and are very efficient, but their intense brightness and beam focus have raised new concerns about glare and driver safety;
• Headlight glare impairs drivers’ vision, leading to increased accident risks. Approximately half of all traffic fatalities in the United States occur during nighttime or at dawn or dusk; and
• A 2023 Newsday article reported that glare was a factor in 749 crashes in 2022, marking a 28% increase compared to 2018, which had 584 glare-related crashes.

“Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe behind the wheel, especially at night. Unfortunately, headlight technology has advanced more rapidly than the standards designed to safeguard motorists, leaving too many drivers exposed to dangerous glare. Getting blinded by oncoming headlights, that seem brighter than ever, is a serious safety concern. The BEAMS Act takes a thoughtful, science-based approach to this problem by bringing together transportation experts, medical professionals, and safety advocates to identify practical solutions that reduce risk without stifling innovation. By modernizing our safety framework, we can protect drivers and passengers while also advancing technology for drivers to see better at night.I look forward to leading the charge on this issue to ensure New Yorkers feel safe on our roads,” said Miller.