7
Rewritten article:
New Rules for Car Headlights in the US: What You Need to Know
In 2013, Toyota submitted a petition to NHTSA, which sparked a five-year rulemaking process to establish new regulations for car headlights. The delay was due to concerns about the effectiveness of adaptive beam lights in certain scenarios, such as intersections or curved roads where visibility is limited.
One key difference between Europe and the US is how vehicles are regulated. In Europe, cars go through a type approval process where authorities test for compliance before approving them for sale. In the US, automakers must self-certify their vehicles as compliant with FMVSS regulations or face penalties for false claims. NHTSA opted to develop its own certification system to address concerns about the subjectivity of the European glare test.
The final rule was established in 2022, allowing cars with active beam matrix LED headlights to be sold in the US. While Audi’s new large SUV showcases this technology, it is noted to have less functionality compared to European counterparts.
NHTSA’s latest FMVSS 108 aims to align US standards with global regulations, update rules for technologies like LEDs and automatic high beams, improve testing procedures for headlights to prevent glare, and optimize aim for better road visibility.
Source: arstechnica.com
