led manufacturer parts is the most effective method to restore light output back to 100 percent, AAA said in a press release.

Aftermarket parts also performed well, restoring light output between 83 and 90 percent, however these did fail to meet certain requirements for light intensity and were found to be more likely to produce glare for oncoming traffic, AAA said.

Restoring headlights, while the most cost effective option, offered less of an improvement in light output than replacement. Professional and DIY restoration returned light output back to approximately 70 percent. Both restoration methods, however, produced more glare than is acceptable according DOT criteria, AAA said.

AAA also says that U.S. headlights have significant shortcomings. Previous AAA research found that halogen headlights fail to safely illuminate unlit roadways at speeds as low as 40 mph, with high beam settings offering only marginal improvements.

AAA’s recommendations for nighttime driving:

· When driving at night on unlit roadways, use high beams whenever possible.