The effect of interior lights on visibility when driving at night

Light inside, hidden danger from within

In recent years, car manufacturers have increasingly invested in ambient lighting systems, usually LED strips decorated around the dashboard, car doors or center console. Although they bring a luxurious, modern feel, if used incorrectly, these lights can reflect on the windshield or screen, creating glare, directly affecting night vision.

Marcus LeClaire, an expert in automotive lighting design at the Stuttgart Institute of Transport and Technology (Germany), warns:

“Interior lighting can disrupt the eye’s light adaptation when driving at night. If the light is too bright, too cold or positioned incorrectly, it makes it difficult for the eyes to focus on the already dark outside environment, increasing the risk of an accident.”

Color and light intensity: Don't let beauty turn into harm

Many drivers choose bright blue or white interior lighting for its “technological” feel. However, according to visual studies, blue and white light have high wavelengths, which are more likely to cause visual stress than yellow or red light, which is gentle on the eyes and has less impact on the pupils when driving at night.

In addition, leaving the ceiling light (domelight) or reading light on continuously is also a bad habit. Light from these positions often shines directly into the driver's eyes or reflects onto the windshield, reducing the ability to observe objects outside.

Balance between comfort and safety

In fact, interior lighting is not a "culprit" if it is designed and used properly. Many high-end car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi or Lexus now have integrated the feature of automatically reducing the brightness of interior lighting when the car is operating in a dark environment, helping to minimize the phenomenon of glare or unwanted reflections.

“Manufacturers can design lighting systems that are evenly distributed, low-intensity, and easily adjustable,” said LeClaire. “For the driver, using ‘Night Mode’ on the infotainment screen and dimming the interior lights is a simple but effective way to protect vision.”

Recommendations for drivers

With complex nighttime traffic conditions, especially in suburban and rural areas lacking streetlights, visibility is vital.

Drivers should:

Avoid turning on unnecessary ceiling or cabin lights at night.

Adjust the brightness of the dashboard and center display to low.

Choose soft interior lighting colors, preferably yellow or light red tones. Check the interior lighting system regularly to avoid unwanted reflections.