I agree completely there are far too many distracting lights and signage, worse at Christmas when all the flashing lights go up and doesn't help when idiot householders and businesses shine their security lights out on to the road.
There will always be stupid drivers who misuse their lights and why oh why don't the police crack down on those who drive with foglights when it isn't foggy? that's breaking the law!
I passed a lorry tonight with the front that would put Blackpool illuminations in the shade #-o
Things are slowly changing for car however and in a few years what are expensive options now will be the norm in a few years. LED lights will be standard to save power on hybrid and electric vehicles, yes they are very bright but my new car has "intelligent lighting". I was sceptical so it took me a couple of weeks to try it properly but apart from the safety features like cornering lights, longer beam at high speed etc it does everything automatically with very fast reaction times.
The lights dip when street lights are recognised, headlamps or tail lights from other vehicles and it blacks out portions of the lights so other users won't be dazzled.
I followed my wifes car a couple of times to check and since using have not once been flashed by another road user.When following another car it's fascinating to see your headlights black out a square section around the vehicle in front.
This works exactly as the video shows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRKrZW6yX14 Will be on all cars eventually and by then even better.
Bob
My previous Audis had auto lights but not a patch on this system and I rarely used then as I felt reaction times were too slow!