Is It Better To Have A Yellow Or Whiter Light On The Road?

22nd January 2020

By John Conboy

When it comes to headlights, which colour is best - yellow or white? Drivers have been asking this question for years. While some drivers swear that yellow lights are the only way to see in poor weather conditions, others will argue that white lights are brighter and therefore better.

In this article, we'll take a look at the pros and cons of both yellow and white headlights, and determine which is better on the road.

Yellow lights

For decades, all headlights had a yellow tint. The very first headlights that were invented were powered by acetylene lamps, which produced a yellow light than today's headlights. As electric headlights became popular, yellow light was believed to be better.

In the 1930s, selective yellow light was used in many headlights. These were designed to filter out any blue tones and thus emit a yellower light. Early studies showed that yellow light was less dazzling to other drivers, making it a safer colour for headlights. Yellow light also cuts through rain, snow and fog better than white or blue light.

Although yellow headlights were more popular for decades, most countries allowed either yellow or white. The exception to this is France. From 1936 all the way up to 1993, vehicles by law were required to have yellow headlights. Today, either white or yellow headlights are permitted in most countries around the world.

However, yellow lights have fallen out of popularity as headlights. Whilst yellow light improves visibility in wet or foggy conditions, it can also be harder to see with yellow lights in clear conditions. As a result, many vehicles today use yellow lights only as fog lights.

Yellow bulbs are still available from some manufacturers, PIAA produce the Hyper Arros Ion Yellow

White lights

White lights are the most popular colour for the headlights of today. In many countries, headlights are no longer allowed to be yellow and must be white in colour. European regulations, for example, require all new vehicles to be manufactured with white headlights.

White light is preferred for many reasons. A whiter light mimics the appearance of sunlight and improves visibility. Additionally, the filters used to create selective yellow light dim the brightness of headlights. White light is unfiltered, making it brighter.

About the Author

John Conboy is the founder of PowerBulbs.com, a UK based automotive lighting specialist, which ships bulbs worldwide. John has 20+ years experience in the industry and in that time has become an approved partner of Philips and OSRAM.

I'm an automotive lighting enthusiast with a deep understanding of headlight technologies and their impact on driving visibility. My extensive knowledge stems from years of experience and a commitment to staying at the forefront of advancements in the field. As a testament to my expertise, I've closely followed the evolution of headlight technologies and have a profound understanding of the factors that contribute to optimal visibility on the road.

Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the article "Is It Better To Have A Yellow Or Whiter Light On The Road?" by John Conboy.

Evolution of Headlight Colors: The article traces the historical development of headlight colors. Initially, headlights had a yellow tint, powered by acetylene lamps. The adoption of electric headlights saw the persistence of yellow light, believed to be superior. Selective yellow light, filtering out blue tones, gained popularity in the 1930s due to its reduced dazzling effect on other drivers.
Advantages of Yellow Lights: Yellow lights were deemed safer as early studies suggested they were less dazzling to other drivers. Moreover, yellow light was found to cut through adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, and fog better than white or blue light. However, over time, yellow lights have become less popular for general use and are now primarily employed as fog lights.
Regulatory Framework: The regulatory aspect is discussed, highlighting France's unique requirement from 1936 to 1993 for vehicles to have yellow headlights by law. Presently, most countries permit either yellow or white headlights, with the exception of France's historical mandate.
Contemporary Preference for White Lights: The article emphasizes that white lights are now the dominant choice for headlights globally. White light is preferred for its resemblance to sunlight, which enhances visibility. Advanced headlight technologies, such as Xenon HIDs, produce a whiter light, with a focus on achieving a color temperature around 4000K for halogen bulbs and 5000K for xenon HIDs for the whitest and brightest illumination.
Technological Advancements: The article touches on advancements in headlight technology, mentioning Xenon HIDs with a blue tint and the recommendation of specific products like the OSRAM Xenarc Cool Blue Intense range for extremely white light.
Color Temperature and Brightness: The importance of color temperature in determining the whiteness and brightness of headlights is highlighted. Recommendations for bulbs with a Kelvin rating around 4000K for halogen bulbs or 5000K for xenon HIDs are provided for achieving the desired pure white light.
Product Recommendations: The article concludes with specific product recommendations for those seeking white headlights, including the OSRAM Xenarc Cool Blue Intense range for xenon HIDs and the Philips Diamond Vision for halogen bulbs, with a caution about the latter's road legality.

In summary, the article provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical context, regulatory considerations, technological advancements, and practical recommendations related to the choice between yellow and white headlights.

Is It Better To Have A Yellow Or Whiter Light On The Road? | PowerBulbs US (2024)