In many cities and towns, traditional street lights are being replaced by high-intensity LED lights to improve energy efficiency. While LEDs provide brighter illumination, they can sometimes create extremely bright spots directly under the lamp while leaving surrounding areas comparatively darker.
When drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians move from a brightly lit area into a darker zone, their eyes require time to adjust to the change in brightness. This temporary reduction in visual sensitivity can make it difficult to notice obstacles, potholes, animals, road signs, pedestrians, or vehicles in less illuminated areas.
The problem becomes more noticeable on roads where street lights are unevenly spaced, excessively bright, poorly angled, or installed without considering uniform light distribution. Many people assume brighter lighting automatically means safer roads, but excessive contrast between bright and dark areas can actually reduce overall visibility.
This issue affects road safety, pedestrian safety, and urban infrastructure planning but often goes unnoticed because the lights themselves appear to be functioning properly.