Courteous High Beam
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) only 25% of driving occurs at night, but it accounts for over 50% of traffic fatalities (nhtsa.gov). Limited visibility is a major contributing factor. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (aaafoundation.org) and other studies report that headlight glare, including improper high beam use, contributes to nighttime crashes. Exact numbers vary, but glare-related crashes number in the thousands annually in the U.S.
Research suggests that 2–5% of night crashes may involve visibility issues from improper high beam use, especially due to glare or failing to use high beams when needed. With an estimated 35,000 traffic deaths and over 5 million police-reported crashes annually, this could mean 100,000 to 250,000 crashes annually may be influenced by improper headlight usage (high/low beams, glare, etc.), and an estimated 10,000–20,000 may be directly influenced by high beam misuse - either from failure to dim or not using high beams when appropriate.
High beam headlights are an essential part of a vehicle’s lighting system, designed to improve visibility while driving at night or in low-light conditions. However, high beams overwhelm the eye’s ability to adjust, causing temporary blindness or seeing spots. This disrupts the driver’s ability to see the road ahead, judge distances, and react promptly. It’s particularly dangerous for oncoming traffic, but can also affect drivers in the same lane with high beams reflecting in rearview mirrors.
We have all encountered that driver who fails to turn off the high beams leaving us squinting or even looking away from the road for a moment, or the driver who comes up behind us – filling our back window and mirrors with blinding light. At high speeds there is only a limited amount of time to react. What if in that moment of distraction an animal – or worse a person or other vehicle – appears on the road? How do we deal with the problem safely?
The Courteous High Beam is the answer with its ability to allow the driver to safely deactivate only the drivers-side high beams when needed. The passenger side high beam remains active to preserve the driver’s peripheral vision and avoids blinding oncoming traffic.
PRODUCT FEATURES & BENEFITS
Special features
Allows for selective deactivation of the driver’s side high beam
Redirects the light beam away from oncoming traffic without loss of high beam benefits on the passenger side
Simple switch for deactivating and reactivating in most standard vehicles
Adaptable to modern vehicles with automated high beam assist systems
Reduces strain on drivers eyes adjusting to current low/high beam changes
PRODUCT DETAILS
Conventional high beams are the brightest setting on a vehicle’s headlights emitting a strong, focused beam of light that projects straight ahead and illuminates a much larger area then low beams. Conventional high beams can blind oncoming drivers, creating unsafe conditions.
The Courteous High Beam is a vehicle high beam system that allows selective directional illumination to enhance safety while driving at night by allowing for selective deactivation of the driver-side high beam to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. The passenger-side high beam remains active to preserve the driver's peripheral vision.
Rapid refocusing from high to low beams can be challenging, especially for elderly drivers or those with vision impairments. The Courteous High Beam reduces eye strain and improves safety during nighttime driving.
The system includes a directional high beam lamp with two light sources separated by a lamp divider. The lamp base connects to the vehicle's headlight socket, allowing independent operation of each light source. The lamp can provide illumination for vehicles passing on either side of the road. The Courteous High Beam is designed to improve nighttime driving safety by minimizing light spillover into opposing lanes.
Regular High Beam
Courteous High Beam
The directional high beam switch enables selective illumination towards the desired side, enhancing visibility without affecting oncoming drivers. A simple switch can be mounted in the floor of the drivers well or on the steering wheel for quick and easy toggling.
Materials needed to produce the Courteous High Beam:
First light source
Second light source
Lamp divider
Lamp base with multiple electrical terminals
Directional switching module
The Courteous High Beam can elevate your product portfolio to new heights. We are seeking a long-term arrangement with a company to manufacture, market, and/or distribute this new technology based on the acquisition of the intellectual property rights . Contact us below
Contact Us
Our VP of Business Development, Amy Schleicher, is ready to answer any questions you may have.
Phone: 913-201-8025
E-mail: Amy@bankonip.com
Patent Information
Patent 10,948,151
Inventor Highlight
Roy D. Brown and Caryl D. Brown holds United States Utility Patent No. 10,948,151 B1 filed on March 30, 2020, and issued on March 16, 2021. This patent for the Vehicle High Beam with Selective Directional Illumination expires in 2040, commensurate with the filing date. This patent has 17 claims that protect the exclusive function of the Courteous High Beam.
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