It’s not illegal, but highly visually impairing to the driver.
I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be looking out the windshield, not staring at the light above you? I’m no expert though
With light in the cabin, you have reflections in the windshield. It’s easier to look through glass when your side is dark. That’s the premise behind “one-way” mirrors. In a police show, the interrogation room is brightly lit and accentuates the reflection of the glass. The investigators on the other side of the mirror are in the dark and thus able to see clearly through their side.
Don’t forget that the eye can adapt to sudden brightness almost instantly, but takes up to a minute to adjust to darkness.
So you have never driven a car before, have you?
Even if you’re not staring directly at the light, it still makes visibility harder when looking straight out the windshield.
To me if someone asks or I expect the light to go on it’s weird but okay. If it’s unexpected the initial surprise I think distracts me more than it being on.
Are you tall? I don’t have issues with the back seat lights bothering me, but I’m 6’3.
Maybe it’s also because my windshield always has a layer of vape liquid on it, though.
It is imparing in some cars, especially older ones with the literal dome lights.
Newer cars with focused lights aren’t bad at all.
They should put shields on the front side of the light so the driver can’t see it
That would cost another .03 cents. Think of the shareholders!