Drivers Over 50ish Beware!

Dear Ken

I saw your website's address in the Honest John column in Saturday's Telegraph, and was interested as I am aware of an issue with Xenon having been dazzled by them on many occasions.

I have looked at your site, and there's a lot of useful information. I get the impression that the main thrust of your argument centres on maladjustment, although the actual petition on the Downing Street website is not specific. However I personally think that it is simpler than that - Xenon lights should not be allowed for dipped beams, but only for main beams or driving lamps, which are extinguished when the headlights are dipped.

My reason for thinking this is simply that no matter how well headlights are adjusted it is inevitable that at times they will focus either in an oncoming driver's eyes, or in the rear view mirror of a car in front. Any undulation in the road, such as a hump-back bridge, a bumpy level crossing or simply a brow, will cause the headlights to point upwards for a brief moment, and as the front of the car follows the contour downwards again, the beams from the headlights will focus on the eyes of an oncoming driver, or the mirrors of a car in front. Even though this is only for a brief period, Xenon lights are so bright that it can cause complete blindness for a few seconds, especially for drivers over 50, like myself, as you mention on your site. This is long enough to cause an accident.

Also, the shorter the vehicle the more acute this problem is, as a shorter car will pitch fore and aft more as it goes over a bump, hence the problem is worse with motorcycles and cars such as Smart cars.

I would be very surprised if there hadn't been several accidents already as a direct result of Xenon dipped beam headlights causing temporary blindness; it would be interesting to have access to insurance company's claims histories and Police accident reports.

Anyway, best of luck with your petition, which I shall certainly sign.

Regards
Andrew Buchanan Darlington Co Durham


Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation

If you live in the USA and many other places around the World and have the more sensitive eyes that find Daytime Running Lights distract making added dangers for you go to the DaDRL and vote:-

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

Epilogue:-

Let’s hope with my effort and your votes 2010 will be the year our voice is heard.