US cars can finally use smart headlights that don't blind oncoming drivers

The US transportation department has denied all appeals against its decision to allow adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlamps on new vehicles. This means car manufacturers can now install headlights that automatically adjust their beam to avoid dazzling other drivers, while still fully illuminating the road.

For decades, US regulations required car headlights to have fixed high and low beams, a standard set in the 1960s. This meant US drivers could not use advanced headlight technology common in Europe and Asia. Now, cars sold in the US can finally incorporate these smarter systems, which use sensors to detect other vehicles and pedestrians, then shape the light beam around them.