Ya know, I HAVE tried talking to people about the brightness and unsuitability of their lights; the attitude seems to be that they paid good money to install them, why should they adjust them again just because its fucking up everyone else's night vision?

It's not about the need/desire for safety through lighting; it's about the perceived need for the brightest lights available! Just like someone driving an SUV "needs" the hugest model on the market. Manufacturers make much about how their lights throw more light or greater intensity, etc. They simply aren't necessary and are apparently causing more problems than solving them.