Feds legalize new lifesaving headlight tech

The U.S. government as approved a new type of headlight available in Europe that uses computers to focus the beams to illuminate key points on the road without blinding oncoming traffic.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it issued a final rule allowing what's called "adaptive driving beam headlights" on new vehicles. It will go into effect when published in the Federal Register in the next few days.

The headlights, commonly used in Europe, have LED lamps that can focus beams on darkness such as the driver's lane and areas along the roadside. They also lower the intensity of the light beams if there's oncoming traffic. Camera sensors and computers help determine where the light should go.