The Living Streets [Safety Issues]

Dear Ken

Congratulations on your initiative. I do not know what you will think of it but, having for some years noticed the increasing power and unpleasantness of all vehicle lights - back and front - how about this proposition?

Sensors could be fitted to all new vehicles that would adapt the power of their running lights, back and front, depending on the level of ambient light. Power would be reduced in brightly lit city and suburban streets. It would revert to higher intensities in dark conditions.

I cannot think what the unintended side-effects would be but, provided they do not seem too serious, perhaps we should all start promoting this idea when in touch with Government officials.

With warmest regards

Terence BendixsonPresident
Living Streets - The Pedestrians Associationc/o 39 Elm Park GardensLondon SW10 9QF020 7352 3885

Hi Terence,

Thank you for congratulating me as many have already. If you do not know I am a London Cabbie [The Black Cab which is London’s Finest]. We do have the odd rogue amongst us. 40.000 Roughly so there is bound to be a bad apple or two. I personally have always cared about the condition of my vehicle other motorists and pedestrians. I have spoken to many people on this subject and there are rotten eggs in all baskets bad Policeman Truckers Bus Drivers. The majority of us are caring citizens so let’s get them voting making life better for us all including sadly those amongst us that would be better sent to a colony where they could ruin it for themselves and not the rest of us.

I am concentrating on the Bi-xenon headlight first as a salesman from the Guy Salmon Dealership of Surbiton explained to a customer who purchased a brand new Range Rover to be careful as his new Bi-xenon lights which came standard on the model he was purchasing would cause other drivers to flash him. This salesman was real dipstick as he then said do not worry as your vehicle passes all Government tests.

Jaguar/Land Rover admitted to me after my MP wrote to them that many organisations had complained VOCIFEROUSLY about their lights. Are they listening NO! They say it is because they pass all current regulations.

QUOTE [My MP wrote with his own hand on a reply to me :- + Which suggests that there may be a need to change the regulations!] That could not be any clearer an MP that knows the regulations are outdated!

Fancy that selling a vehicle to a customer costing over £50,000 which will blind other motorists’ cyclists and PEDESTRIANS! Then telling him because the current regulations allow this he can drive with impunity.

Before I get on your idea about sensors you also mentioned the brightness of rear lights. I have noticed that many brake lights have had the power raised and are as bright as or brighter than rear fog lights. Early models that easily noticeable are the Volvo estate Peugeot 307 and Mitsubishi Grandis but many more will be emerging and are already out there.

I have not confirmed this but Mercedes have a form of sensors fitted already but at an additional cost. The only problem is like the reply I received from Jaguar/Land Rover they refer to all their vehicles passing current regulations.

My E Petition needs voters and if Pedestrians want less dazzle when walking on pavements next to a busy road at night they also could join my band of supporters on getting the regulation on the dazzling lights changed. Drivers will still benefit they just need to be lowered a little and all that is gained from them will not be lost.

I have at present at least 20 or more ADI’s that have voted on my E Petition and have been asked to write an article for ADI News on the dangers and out of date regulations that allow these lights to dazzle and intimidate others. I also have been on TV’s The One Show BBC Radio the Surrey Mirror and Driving Magazine for Advanced Drivers and Riders etc etc.

I have just joined the ABD and made friends with recently with the DaDRL and both are good sources of info and help.

If we all work together and specialise on our own particular cause we have more chance of benefits for the future.

You can find my twitters at theblinder and my short true stories on blogger at blindinglightsetc big blinding blogger and my website at blindedbixenon.co

With the brightest warmest regards Ken

Ken

Thanks for that.

Co-incidentally I am involved in a court case in which I am giving evidence for a Black Cabbie following a crash in the Brompton Road. I was bicycling along, saw it happen and gave my card to the cabbie. His lawyers later got in touch with me. The poor bloke had the back of his vehicle hit by a motorcyclist who passed close to me as I pedalled along near the kerb, swung out to the middle of the road to pass the cab, discovered that it was joining a queue to turn right into Beauchamp Place, swung back to the left but, as she, yes SHE, was going too fast, hit the left back side of the cab. He has a whiplash injury.

And over the years I have had many blessed encounters with cabbies. You are a good lot.

Cheers

Terence

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