Headlights are brighter because when you are behind them, it's a game changer. The road visibility is so much better now, I still remember the dull yellowish lights I had on my first car (1970s model) and realize I was more driving by feel. But in front of those headlights it's a pain.
Then there's the height of the hood, headlights are so much higher than they used to on average. Amplifies that pain.
The problem is the road visibility doesn't need to be 'better', it just needs to be 'visible'.
We went from the road is visible to everyone, to the road is only visible to some people because the rest of us don't have ultra bright lights and are getting blinded.
Then there's the height of the hood, headlights are so much higher than they used to on average. Amplifies that pain.