Should Montana Ban Aftermarket LED Headlights?

We’ve all been there. You’re coming home at night, cruising along, and there’s a vehicle that appears to be testing to see if planes can be landed on I-90. LED headlights, burning right into your retinas like the Eye of Sauron.

Massachusetts, at long last, did something about it. They recently passed a new law that outlaws aftermarket LED headlights that are too bright or incorrectly installed. Union Rayo reports that the law is out to get those retina-burning beams that make every two-lane highway feel like a staring contest you’re losing. It even outlines fines and inspections for those who don’t follow it.

And honestly? Good. Because some of y’all have headlights that appear to be designed for a spaceship, not a Subaru.

Could Montana Be Next?

Now, I’m not usually one to say we should follow what Massachusetts is doing. But in this case? I’d hold the door open for it. We’ve got enough night-driving hazards in Montana, wildlife, snow, and tourists. We don’t need to get flashbanged by Chad’s lifted Tacoma on a back road.

In other states, there’s already some grumbling about how LED lights are wreaking havoc on visibility and safety. Should the buzz build, don’t be shocked to see a bill appear in the state Capitol in Helena with like-minded language. And I’d be OK with that.

Let’s face it, there's a difference between “I want to see at night better,” and “I want to blind everyone coming the other way like I’m Gandalf on a bridge.”