1. An automatic rearview mirror system for an automotive vehicle comprising: at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror; an array of sensing elements to sense light levels in an area rearward of said at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror, each of said sensing elements adapted to sense light levels of light incident thereon and to output an electrical signal indicative of said sensed light levels; a signal processor, connected to said array of sensing elements, receiving and using the electrical signals indicative of the sensed light levels from said sensing elements to determine a first electrical signal indicative of a background light level in the area rearward of said at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror and to determine a second electrical signal indicative of at least one peak light level in the area rearward of said at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror, wherein said signal processor determines at least one control signal indicative of the desired reflectance level of the at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror from the first electrical signal indicative of the background light level and the second electrical signal indicative of the at least one peak light level; and at least one drive circuit connected to said signal processor and to said at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror for receiving said at least one control signal and generating and applying at least one drive signal to said at least one variable reflectance rearview mirror to drive said at least one variable reflectance mirror to the desired reflectance level.