Overly bright headlights are a bigger safety problem

Published 1:30 am Thursday, February 8, 2024

Regarding the proposal to require headlights on at all hours (“Should Washington require headlights 24 hours a day on highways,” The Herald, Feb. 2): First of all, the article states it would make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. How many pedestrians and cyclists are on the highways?

Headlights are already blindingly bright, day or night. I drive with my rearview mirror in the night position 24 hours a day because headlights are obnoxious! I have to put my hand up to block the side mirror when lights are shining on it so I don’t get an instant headache. They didn’t used to be this way until it was decided that LEDs were the greatest thing. Instead of lights being pointed downward, they wrap around the front of the car in many cases and pointing them down is probably impossible.

Doesn’t anyone think that the headache inducing, blinding brightness could possibly contribute to accidents?

Please don’t require them at all hours.

Jeanne Yoshida

Everett