lightmare

ARE AUDI VEHICLE LIGHTS AS BAD AS LASER PENS?

2011-06-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

Laser Pens are dangerous to Pilots! Read this from the BBC and the rest of this blog please?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8408461.stm

Are their LED’s too bright and arrogant?

YES!

Are their XENON headlights, equally glaringly angry and obnoxious too?

YES!

Why have ‘AUDI’ been allowed to dangerously dazzle other drivers? Say http://www.lightmare.org/ and their supporters!

Sadly it is not ‘AUDI’s’ fault, but that of our Government and the European Parliament. That means Audi Jaguar/land Rover, Citroen, Mercedes, and BMW. In fact all Motor Manufacturers can blind and dazzle us legally at the present time!

Help us by voting on our e petition, and by telling all your friends about the reason Government has allowed this ‘www.lightmare.org ‘

James Baggott, who is a leading Motoring Journalist, and Editor of ‘E CAR DEALER MAGAZINE’! Asked his readers via the link below?

http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/02/24/autoblog-readers-condemn-dangerous-hid-headlights

http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/02/07/are-hid-lights-dangerous-on-the-road/2

The Autoblog poll read: -

Do you think HID Xenon Headlights are dangerous? The result below was: -

YES 11,884

NO 1,277

DON’T KNOW 127

Revered Motoring correspondent and writer for the ‘DAILY TELEGRAPH’ of www.honestjohn.co.uk

Followed up this news on the link below: -

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/2011-02/xenons

Paul Everitt tried to defend the Motor Manufacturers understandably. In my opinion he failed miserably in this interview.

View this news page from the BBC, and watch the video and interviews

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13143206

On the 11th May 2011 the BBC link above became a top 10 news blog on their website bringing in 6,555 hits on our website at www.lightmare.org

2.306 email votes were received that day confirming that Governments and Motor Manufacturers have their lighting and regulations wrong.

We achieved over a 30% conversion rate again confirming that we need your votes and comments on our petition please?

Please vote here http://www.petition.co.uk/blinding-vehicle-lights-or-lightmare

I Have Heard of "Florence Nightingale"

2011-01-18T19:18:00.000-08:00

So www.lightmare.org has found its own has found its own “Florence” Researching networking or public relations was not my bag. But my passion is felt by who I research. Sadly if it is you “Florence” that started the voting surge on our petition it came from the loss of a young friend. I thank you most sincerely. I was quite ashamed that my first article covered two pages in Driving Magazine. I found an article on another organisation called www.2young2die.org.uk which only had a quarter of one page in that issue. The article covered a story on young drivers. This is still hard to take in. Quote; 13 Young Drivers die every single week on our Roads in Great Britain between the ages of 15 & 25. The equivalent of a Football team! [I still cannot believe that but it is true] But it is. That article on young drivers will include one of Florence’s friends and be one of 2,600 approximately will have died since that article was written. We at www.lightmare,org hope to save a handful or two of that horrendous 2,600 so there is along way to go. Thanks to our “Florence” we may achieve that “Goal”

Funny accidents and stunts compilation

2011-01-15T03:01:00.000-08:00

Dangerous Running Lights & More

2011-01-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

About a year ago I tried to talk to Clive Bull on Dazzling Headlights. They were sold by Motor Dealerships as a Safety feature. Last night 10 1 2011 on http://twitter.com/#!/lbc973 Clive asked about Motoring problems? On air he admitted he has at last noticed them.

The reasons we at http://www.lightmare.org call Daytime lights Dangerous instead is Manufacturers have made them brighter in our opinion without proper consultation of Drivers of all ages. Many Cyclists and Children find the new brightness distracting and this has been proven to be so in Austria causing Mandatory withdrawal of DRL,s to reduce the accidents of these vulnerable groups.

All new Cars in the United Kingdom will be fitted with Dangerous Running Lights! Our opinion and that of Ophthalmologists has been ignored sadly.

Please vote on our “e petition” at http://www.petition.co.uk/blinding-vehicle-lights-or-lightmare

High Intensity Discharge or xenon’s [said zenon] have been researched and described by many as “Hideous” Intensity Discharge that hurt the eyes with a bluish white tint that can make eyes Discharge water to protect them from the searing Intense Light. Temporary blindness will be a problem too many Drivers which put the more senior of us in a vulnerable position as the eyes take to recover with age. How can these lights be a Unique Selling Point for Road Safety when it is clear they are only of good use to those “Driving” with them and not those that have to deal with them?

Campaign Merger

2010-12-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

Two Organisations Merge To Stop Lightmare On Our Roads From February 2011

Is the joining of two Organisations that is attempting to take on Europe, Governments and Motor Manufacturers who are hell bent on

Blinding & Dazzling all of us!

Motorists these bureaucrats sit in offices rarely driving when enough to be troubled by dazzle and in the guise of “Road Safety” tell us we need the brighter the better policy. Shining brighter and even brighter lights at each other is not road safety.

Both Organisations have proved that giving us brighter lights is not the answer.

Professor Heilig says.

Children and DRL’S http://bit.ly/dKXgjs

Safe Cycling http://bit.ly/bmgeAb

Impaired Perception http://bit.ly/dzDhgz

As more and more young Piston Heads buy upgrade Headlights that are often illegal and DRL’s on Audi’s and Citroen’s get even brighter making Cyclists more vulnerable the whole “Brighter the Better Policy” will fall flat on it’s face.

Honest John “Daily Telegraph” Says

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/caradvice/honestjohn/8201841/Do-Xenon-lights-require-automatic-levelling.html

Quote

If we all have the Brightest Daytime Running Lights and Xenon’s [said zenon] that burn your eyes and render you paralysed for periods of time that put everyone in danger those stupid Bureaucrats who thought it was a good idea will be driven of the road from extreme Bright Lighting that they introduced.

Look at the beginning of our new website.

http://lightmare.org

Please join our Petition

Sign our PETITION against blinding lights

Road Accident Reduction

2010-07-31T04:24:00.000-07:00

Road safety organisations and Government departments like Vosa the DfT Public Carriage Office and Police Have all sadly missed the trick.

Brighter HID lights and LED seem to be their answer. “Oh my God” let us “Dazzle” and “Blind” the other drivers into submission like our Emergency vehicles.

Medical experts like Professor Peter Heilig at the University of Vienna Austria who has written much on being dazzled and blinded by Daytime Running Lights. Doctor Leuenburger of the Asian Eye Institute in the Philippines feels banning xenon’s altogether would be the answer to stop the Malevolence that emanates from these dazzling blinding lights. Who trained at the Massachusetts Eye Infirmary where Professor Mario Motta has a wealth of information on wickipedia and also wrote for the Massachusetts Medical Society?

Well thought of motoring correspondents like Honest John who is currently a regular in the Daily Telegraph has had forums talking about the xenon blinding problems and has mentioned me a number of times. Rory Lumsdon wrote a scathing attack on Audi lights in Autotocar.

USA Today another huge daily covered the dangers of Xenon’s.

I have had articles in Advanced driver and Instructor Magazines outlining the dangers of brighter is generally more dangerous to others even though possibly a benefit to the driver.

The benefit to the driver only comes into being if there is no other traffic on the road. How often is that I ask? The answer is rarely.

Governments and Manufacturers need to take note that I will not rest until the blinding dazzling problem is addressed properly and changes are made for a fairer system to suit the majority of drivers.

7 out of 10 drivers that are on the roads at night have problems with these bright lights.

Many drivers like Travelling Salesman find DRL’s a problem at dusk.

If you have been dazzled or blinded please get in touch as only direct action in numbers will make that difference.

The Mother of all Blogs including Bi-Xenon & Halogen

2010-07-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wonder do drivers care about others or are we all inherently selfish. We all have to share the roads whether for work or pleasure. It has been some time that I have been researching the miss use of headlight and fog lights. The RVLR 1989 at present allows the newish Bi-xenon a MOT Pass when clearly they dazzle others most of the time with few exceptions. From my research I believe all Manufacturers and Dealerships will have had customers take back their new car because other.

It does not seem to matter which maker AUDI BMW CITROEN DAEWOO FIAT FORD HONDA and JAGUAR LAND ROVER seem to have more models than most that could be causing death by inconsiderate use of that old RVLR 1989 as it is older than the Bi-xenon lights [12 years approx] that has crept into our vehicles as a USP giving the driver who has them the upper hand to those that do not have them. The inconsiderate use of these lights could be causing deaths that are being unnoticed because they appear to be brilliant when you are driving with them. It is because they are so good to drive with it seems inconceivable that they are a danger to others but I assure you the most certainly are!

My question is to those who read this blog. Does anyone else find car lights in general day or night are getting too bright? HID on almost every vehicles seems to dazzle and blind you at night and LED’s have gone to mega status with AUDI leading the way in attempting to dazzle and blind us to our deaths.

Bi-xenon’s and Halogen lights today are made for brilliant lighting on country lanes but the drivers with them are intimidating drivers and not surrendering their powerful light leaving other motorists floundering and cursing because the xenon driver did not retract his or her greater presence of powerful luminosity that would make it impossible for even the best 20x20 drivers eyes.

Do we really need Daytime Running Lights that are so bright that they can blind and dazzle you in the Daytime? Are any of the engineers designing these lights to produce lights so fierce they actually fry or cook your eyes so badly you feel like smashing them or possibly the twat of a driver that is endangering himself if he is putting you in danger?

Motorcycles we know are the most dangerous form of transport and although there are some really good ones they are in a minority as it is a pastime of the young and the adrenalin junkie that likes the revving engine noise and speed that defies any sense of safety for themselves or others. Because the accident rate of these drivers is so high safety organisations and manufacturers are convincing these driver riders that brighter lights on there two wheel death traps will be their saviour. Sadly I think RosPa and the IAM and others do have this one so wrong because the headlights on these two wheeled killing machines if in the wrong hands are actually now one eyed monsters that intimidate the opposing drivers to slow down. This appears to make it safer for some but what of those that dazzled the opposing driver and led to an accident that left only a dead or comatosed body and possibly then did not get reported as an accident caused by the other driver being dazzled or blinded for long enough to be fatal.

All in all having searched the web extensively there are many motorist forums that have talked about the dangers of Bi-xenon and dazzling blinding headlights. I personally have been on the BBC One Show BBC 5 Live Radio 4 Radio3 Wales Scotland Three Counties Southern Counties Radio now Surrey LBC Talksport Southside Broadcasting.

The Daily Telegraph has mentioned me via Honest John a Motoring corespondant that cares about safety. The Surrey Mirror my local paper Cab Driver Magazine via the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association and Taxitalk Nationwide. The Advanced Drivers Magazine Driving and Driving Instructor. A special edition of ADI News December 2009 and much more

Australia New Zealand Malaysia Singapore the Philippines Africa Most of Europe Argentina Brazil United States of America Canada and dare I forget India plus China where many of these dangerous bright dazzling blinding lights are made. More countries than I can list have forums covering this very issue including these above.

Very special thanks to all those who voted on my Parliamentary e petition that sadly got closed due to the downfall of Labour and our new Coalition Government.

Links of interest

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001-06-07-xenon.htm

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=12500

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=2633

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070326/news_1n26lights.html

http://forums.vr-zone.com/vrrroomm-vrrroomm/147892-lta-taking-steps-snuff-out-blinding-headlights-hid.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Dazzling-headlights-Trendy-but-dangerous/articleshow/280827900.cms

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/designlanguage/archive/2007/10/17/led-running-lights-no-thanks.aspx

http://www.autocar.co.uk/forums/t/14042.aspx

http://blogs.motortrend.com/6307569/technology/blinded-by-the-light-comparing-new-led-headlamps-with-hid-xenon-halogen/index.html

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&f=10&t=748630&mid=0&i=20&nmt=Aftermarket%20HIDs,%20%20Legal%20or%20not%20?&mid=0

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gAssing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=814743&mid=0&i=80&nmt=Front%20fog%20abusers%20-%20is%20it%20beyond%20hope%20now?&mid=0

http://thoughtsinflight.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/index.html

Epilogue

In my opinion this content confirms something must be done to make our roads safe at night and reduce dazzle and blinding lights.

Vauxhall Zafira (?) Headlight upgrades

2010-03-02T07:54:00.000-08:00

Hello concerned motorists. As you can see I almost wrote a blog a day last month but then was sidetracked. I could probably write more than three a day when working and that’s because I now want to identify offending vehicles.

I was travelling up the 316 towards London on the Chertsey Road 1 March 2010 9:45 PM close to the Winning Post Pub a car was waiting to enter the 316 but as I past I could see this vehicle had the dazzling upgrade lights that were probably set on Zero and should have been lower. No other words can explain shockingly awful ****. The lights on this one were so bad I felt it was worth slowing down for the make and registration. It was and you have to be quick so the registration was KM53 SXB blue Vauxhall Zafira I think with (Dads Taxi) in the rear window.

It is sad facts that drivers are fitting these lights too see more and probably are. But what are they doing to the rest of us?

Drivers like this are blinding and dazzling us!

Epilogue

Quote: I defy anyone who has to work in and around London for 8 or 9 hours when it is dark to have not seen headlights that dazzle or to appear to be on full beam.

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

Archive from Briskoda.net5

2010-02-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

This thread from someone called Babs is way down market but typical of those that has no thought for others. The only constructive thing is they should have their license removed and banned from driving for 10 years with no appeal. If caught cheating a custodial sentence would be appropriate.

Babs

They'll be law in 2012 anyway...And the correct response is a polite middle finger, or window down and inform the person who's flashed/beeped at you that his mother engages in sexual congress in exchange for considerably small amounts of pocket change.

Epilogue

I have a friend who is a Football referee and writes everything that is said that comes his way on the pitch. Sadly the words of Babs come from too many drivers.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive Mail on Tacky Lights was sent to Honest John

2010-02-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

I am blogging for drivers that care about others and this mail sent in to Honest John is another to add to my blogroll. You can find him at www.honestjohn.co.uk and at www.telegraph.co.uk

Attention seekers

Over the years we have become used to seeing Volvos and their daytime driving lights. This annoying - and "indicator-hiding" - feature now seems to be spreading to other manufacturers. Recently I've flashed my headlights at Volkswagens, Vauxhalls, BMWs and others before it occurred to me that this may be something new. Worst offenders are Audis, with a very tacky line of LCD lights. Is this a new fashion, or as I suspect, another great new EU requirement?

D.O., Woodmill

It's as you suspect: a new EC requirement to become law on all new cars supplied within the EC from 2011. Actually Audi's LED lights and the separate driving lights on Fiat 500s are a lot less dazzling than Volvo headlights and do not obscure the headlights of motorcycles.

Epilogue

I found this on the website www.honestjohn.co.uk from 13th Oct 2009. I also find the LCD lights tacky but this driver has flashed many cars. If my suspicions are correct many drivers are finding the array of new brighter lights so good that they are actually too good. I hope you can find the time to vote on my petition thanks.

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

Archive from Briskoda.net4

2010-02-17T04:09:00.000-08:00

This thread below from mObov may well be the voice of reason when it comes to the chavvy talk on this Motoring Forum.

mObov

I've noticed some cars fitted with the "Halfords" type aftermarket DRLs so hopefully the DRLs won't seem too chavy like LED washerjets and the like. Don't forget in maxidot you can switch them off, I will during the summer. BTW, I am not too far from the A3 around Chessington area.

Epilogue

What I am wondering is why Halfords and other accessory stores are allowed to sell these lights when it is obvious that the chavvies that fit them are going to get the max from them and try to out-dazzle the rest of us.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from Briskoda.net3

2010-02-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

This very short thread was a reply to Neil Effer about other drivers being troubled by lighting that disturbs them and their concentration to drive safely.

Prolfe

Yep i was happily driving along when someone gave me the international sign for playing with myself.Jealous git

My question is, What will these neanderthals do in five years time when 80% of cars will have them?

Epilogue

My own grammar at the start of this campaign to improve safety for night drivers hopefully has come on leaps and bounds. Whosoever Plolfe is, the reply about other drivers not liking his lights is as poor as his attitude to others.

I will agree with that someone who shook their hand in a rude gesture and calling others jealous g i t s confirms he is a contemptible person. A bastard I do not think is to strong a word for someone who probably hates anyone that does not see his point of view. Now calling us all Neanderthals has also answered his short thread. It is he who is the primitive person with no consideration for others troubled by his lights and attitude.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Nissen Micra & VW Golf with what are probably illegal upgrade Headlights

2010-02-16T05:02:00.000-08:00

Was it from a thread on the Briskoda.net or MBC Motorist club Forum we were informed about illegal upgrade lights?

Last night at 10:PM 15th February at Bermondsey Square SE1 I noticed at close range another of the many cars with dazzling headlights which are set in my opinion wrongly. It was a black VW Golf registration AF05 PMU. Later at 00:30 on the 16th I was travelling south on the Fulham Palace Road and yet another dazzling incident. This time an old Nissen Micra I think with the registration R519 JCN with upgrade lights and with a small bright blue light in the corner of each headlamp that if you looked at for too long left you seeing stars. As this car was following me south towards Putney Bridge not only was I being dazzled from behind the offside was worse than the nearside but the near side would have been a problem even if the offside was broken. In plain English these lights were a lightmare waiting to happen.

[These drivers probably like driving with the extra light, but they are in my opinion dangerous and chavvy]

I rarely pull over to let these drivers pass and suffer total wipe out in my rear view mirrors but I happened to notice I was following a Police car so I seized my opportunity to let the Micra driver dazzle the Police. What I have to say now is pure supposition as the Micra pulled quickly behind me from the kerb to dazzle me from behind and I am assuming the Police car in front had stopped this car with dazzling lights and spoken to the driver. At the moment I let the driver pass me he quickly pulled in as not to follow the Police car got out and started to check his front lights. It was at this point I took down the registration.

Epilogue

I see many of these upgrade lights on a nightly basis along with the Bi-xenon lights that often dazzle you. If you have seen these types of incidences and not voted it is time to do so. The DSA [Driving Standards Authority] has at last acknowledged me and will be considering my proposals for more information about night driving when taking a driving test. Brilliant news!! Let’s hope their considerations move to something more positive and my changes are approved.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from Briskoda.net Motoring Forum2

2010-02-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

This is Neil’s answer to mattbs’ thread on the earlier blog about drivers who find certain types of lights dangerous and distracting.

Neil Effer

I experienced exactly the same today - I was following some guy in a people carrier and he kept putting his rear fog light on - like you I think he thought I had my fog lights on - thought they would have been used to these things by now as all new Audis have the LED DRLs - I won't turn them off though as I've noticed fewer people pulling out on me. [Is it because your lights are intimidatory]

Epilogue

Once again for fear of repeating myself are these lights that look like fog lights in the wrong place or too bright. If lots of other drivers are bothered enough it may cause them to have an accident. So by not turning the lights of you may well be involved in an accident because of stubbornness and lack of understanding.

My opinion of the Audi lights is they are too bright day or night and the reflections from that snaky line at the front when raining plays havoc with beams of light going of in more directions than a disturbed hornets nest. I have also come across drivers who do not like their Audi daytime running lights and have had their garage turn them of. Their garage did do this but reluctantly.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Jaguar & Rover Dazzle!

2010-02-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

These dazzling instances are beyond a joke. I was parked in the A3 slip road at about 8:10PM and as we all do starting up looked in my offside door mirror. Baring in mind I was in the slip road many vehicles were travelling up the A3 with lights on but one car was beaming bright in the distance and much more than the rest of the vehicles. If it was that bright for me what problems was this driver giving to the traffic in front on the same carriageway. Hoping to get the registration and model I surged up the slip road to meet it at the junction with Rhoehampton Vale. It was a Jaguar shaped like the S-Type registration WH05 OBJ. Although these lights were so bad they appeared to be on full beam in my opinion they were on dip and the driver would be of two minds. He may be so dumb he did not know that his lights were blinding others. Or he knew and did not care because the vehicle passes our current regulations. Either scenario is wrong but I have seen many other Jaguars’ dazzling others but this is the first time I managed to take the registration.

Well folks exactly 1 hour later at 9:10PM I was travelling west on Cheyne Walk and what I thought was a green or dark coloured Rover registration HY02 SGG. I did not actually get dazzled by this one but as it pulled up beside me at the Kings Road traffic lights it was so obvious that the lights on this vehicle were either BI-xenon or upgrades as the vehicle in front of it was so under the spotlight it should have been on a film set.

Epilogue

I could have written many more but having the time is difficult.

Quote: I defy anyone who has to work in and around London for 8 or 9 hours when it is dark to have not seen headlights that dazzle or to appear to be on full beam.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from Briskoda.net Motoring Forum1

2010-02-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

Although I am specialising in the problems with the Bi-xenon lights there is a wider spectrum.

This thread was from mattb

I have been driving my Vrs for a week now and on two occasions I have been led to believe that some other road users are not big fans of the DRL's.The first occasion I followed a fabia driver onto the A3 and he decided to put on his rear fog light on a bright sunny day.The second time was slightly more dramatic with an on coming driver deciding to put his headlights on full beam and honking his horn.Now I guess that they think that I am running with my front fogs on.Anyone else suffered similar experiences?

Epilogue

I wonder if mattb has considered that the brightness of the Daytime running lights are distracting to other drivers. Television is always letting us know about the inclusion of flash photography. On the odd occasion that I get to drive daytime I find the lights to be too bright and distracting. If my xenon campaign keeps making inroads I will certainly consider a survey on this brightness as the Manufacturers seem to have set the brightness a bit too high if drivers like mattb is getting flashed and honked.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

It's not Porsche's fault

2010-02-11T01:41:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting for this blog and hope you all like it. Honest John gave me a mention in the Telegraph Motoring Section and his eyes via the rear view mirrors have been punished by the brightness of Porsche Bi-xenon headlights. This has happened to me on several occasions with Porsche models including the Caymen, Boxster,911 Targa, 911 Cabriolet,911 Coupe and backed up by the worst of the lot by the Cayenne 4X4 whose lights often border on the criminally negligent in my opinion. [Please refer to earlier blogs on the Cayenne]

The reason for title [It’s not Porsche’s fault] is that simply they are using the current Regulations [RVLR 1989] which in my opinion and the opinion of Jaguar Land Rover’s technical department [Technically they are not breaking any current laws]

It would be great for me and my campaign if you could drop Honest John a line at the Telegraph about this light problem. He can be found on twitter http://twitter.com/_HonestJohn or email at letters@honestjohn.co.uk

Back to Today's Blog

Porsche Registration M444 MED [Boxster S] came from behind me in New Cavendish Street W1 at about 9:10PM 10th February 2010 with the headlights glaring fiercely beating anyone in its path to submission. Being close to the Harley Street district I wonder if MED means the driver of this Porsche is a Doctor.

Epilogue

This driver in my opinion should be informed that he is blinding and dazzling other drivers and with such a distinctive registration should be easily located. Once again in my opinion his license should be suspended if he has not noticed how he is endangering other road users. Sadly it is not his fault and votes on my parliamentary petition will help.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from the MBC Club Forum7

2010-02-10T02:15:00.000-08:00

This thread posted on the forum is short sweet and helpful. Adam in my opinion is typical of many motorists with the factory or Bi-xenon kits that dazzle other motorists. As for the upgrades, they should be banished to outer space or beyond.

Thank you.

Adam230K

Why has this group buy thread turned into a bunch of mummies and daddies telling people what to do?You self-righteous morons have notified everyone that Xenon kits are illegal. People are free to break the law and reap the 'consequences' of their actions.Thank you.

Epilogue

Adam thank you for endorsing what this blogroll is for. There are too many chavvies and normal motorists dazzling the rest of us.

What I will ask you if I get the chance, am I the self righteous moron you refer to when my aims are to help those that have difficulty with dazzle reduce accidents and probably save live as a consequence?

Thank you.

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

Fire Ambulance and Drivers that hate Bi-xenon's

2010-02-09T02:35:00.000-08:00

Once again the MBC Club Forum Archive has to be put back as last night just about everything to do with headlights that dazzle and blind you surfaced! Firstly a Wapping resident who drives regularly up to Norwich said. Those xenon lights blind you and are infuriating. Let’s hope he votes and passes my info around. Secondly a management consultant from Onslow Gardens SW7 in South Kensington had another interesting story. He purchased a brand new BMW and although he could have had the expensive upgrade to xenon’s as an extra he chose not too. The reason was not the cost but the fact he hated being blinded by the xenon lights so was not going to blind others as they do him. Thirdly I was in Grosvenor Gardens SW1 and sadly a London Ambulance at around 9:30PM had two headlights pointing in different directions of which one was initially burning my eyes out in my rear view mirror. This has happened on numerous occasions and registration numbers will follow as I collect them.

This leads me to tonight’s blog proper. Its 10:45PM 8th February 2010 I was travelling along Silk Street EC2 towards the Barbican Centre from the Moorgate side and on the near side of the road by the car park and flats entrance was a London Fire Brigade Engine registration RX54 OSF. It is with regret that I have to complain about our Fireman when they do work many of us could not. They are probably dealing with accidents all around the country from dazzling incidents. Sadly the driver had left full beam headlights on which were Halogen I think making it almost impossible to pass safely because of the glare. No officers were near the vehicle or directing traffic. As it was on the wrong side of the road facing the wrong way the light beams were directed straight at you and dangerous.

Epilogue

The reason I had to report this as on many more than six occasions a Fire service vehicle on a call out has done this to me and others. On more than a dozen occasions Ambulances have also done this and with the improvement of lighting systems on their vehicles this has to be eradicated as they could add to the accident or incident that they are dealing with. A totally barmy scenario don’t you think.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

A Chelsea Tractor Story

2010-02-08T08:32:00.000-08:00

Once again I have been diverted from the MBC Club Forum archive. This blog take me back to skiing in Corcheval. The only time I can be well over the limit when it comes to alcohol. Please do not be concerned as it is on skis and it is my neck at stake.

Sunday evening at 19:45PM on the 7th February 2010 I was just approaching the south side of Vauxhall Bridge to go north bound when a 4X4 with headlights burning my rear view mirrors came from behind. I managed to avert my eyes to concentrate on reporting this driver on my blog.

The registration number was 8944 YL 62 a 4X4 with tinted windows and a throaty exhaust that piston head drivers fit to try to impress others. I think it makes the driver stand out especially when deliberately revving for sound and trying to drive faster than traffic flow will allow in a big city. It should be used on open roads where no pedestrians or other road users are close by and the driver makes a mistake no others are affected.

Epilogue

This 4X4 was a Porsche Cayenne I think with what was probably a French plate but I missed if it had a sticker denoting which country, as I had to drive safely. Both journeys on my coach from Grenoble airport and back from Corcheval I had noticed a number of vehicles with lights far too bright . Luckily for the coach driver and me we were quite high and not affected but for those in smaller vehicles blinding and dazzling is taking place in France and all over the globe.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from the MBC Club Forum6

2010-02-07T01:20:00.000-08:00

Finding all this about my campaign and xenon is very refreshing. Pandora’s box is open the Motor Manufacturers VOSA and Police need to start listening and show as much interest in all motoring matters like retired officer:
Keith Peat who can be found at
http://www.abdlincolnshire.co.uk/ or http://twitter.com/BogTrotter1

This thread posted on the MBC Forum was posted simply by someone called M and has some great content throwing more light to the problems and dazzling instances that need treating as my eyes are wounded on a nightly basis.

Interesting - though that HID bulb CANNOT produce the same beam pattern
as the bulb next to it.- No shield at the top to stop direct beams- larger light discharge area (a thin filament on one vs the entire gas bubble on the other)- very little interference from other elements in the bulb, while the HID has all sorts of curves and shapes int he glassI think VOSA has made it quite clear - they say retrofitted HID kits are illegal unless you change the whole unit. Why defy the law? Some laws are outdated, but that doesn't make it right to break them. It's still illegal to glue a postage stamp upside-down; stupid & outdated, yes - but it's still the law. Similarly, we have a 70MPH speed limit, because when it came in force that was a safe speed; the safety technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since then, but it STILL IS ILLEGAL TO GO OVER 70MPH.Don't like it? Tough. You have 3 options:- Contact your MP, do the political thing and get the law changed/updated- Do the upgrade legally, change the whole unit- Go down the illegal path, but then don't whine when you are in an accident and your insurance is deemed invalid.Note: I am not against Xenons; in fact, I too think that the law needs updating to allow retrofits if properly tested. That said, I don't think it's right to break the law.M.

Epilogue

I am also not against the improvement that xenon lights bring but the testing of them has to be scrutinized as the damage our eyes are getting has become far too common.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from the MBC Forum5

2010-02-06T01:29:00.000-08:00

Readers you should enjoy the thoughts of this person called Spinal. It is not too eloquent but brings out some relevant points I will answer in the epilogue.

If you think Xenons particularly legal 6000k Xenons resemble Blues and Twos then I respectfully suggest you may have uncorrected vison and a visit to Specsavers may be in order. As to the corsa boys with blue or near purple lights then I agree get them off the road and crush them, but again these no way resemble strobes, LED's or halogen blues used by the emergency services. Also as a biker I have no problem with Xenons, people that do usually have illegal tinted visors, scratched visors or poor vision.Now there is some dispute as to whether these kits are legal or not, the first ruling clearly states they are, but the kits have moved on and are designed in the same bulb shape and same beam pattern as the original halogens, so where the problem? Distorting the beam with dirt on the lens is just B******t same would apply with halogens but to a lesser extent. Time for a review if it's not been done already me thinks. As for plod checking for aftermarket headlights, half of them could not be ar**d and the other half would not have a clue if they were aftermarket or not. There is only a minority of traffic officers that are usually petrolheads themselves that would know the difference, unless the car was impounded and inspected of course. (No offence to our serving members)Has anyone actually contacted VOSA or their insurance company for an up to date statement on Xenon Kits rather than rely on the outdated information thats been presented so far?Think we should deal in fact and not fiction, although some people do have difficulty in telling the two apart.

Spinal

Epilogue

Firstly when I research drivers a common thread is that the over-bright xenon lights look like police cars in rear view mirror.

The kits to upgrade are often, in fact mostly are fitted poorly. They dazzle and blind us on a nightly basis.

He is absolutely right about the Police as they have too much other work. Although I have met many good officers since starting this campaign Spinal is totally right that many officers do not have a clue. We need to help them improve their understanding.

I have contacted VOSA and rather than acknowledge me properly they sit on the fence.

If you know of anyone who may have had an accident or near miss please post a reply. I am in the UK but it does not matter if you come from anywhere around the globe as I believe this light problem is truly global and has gone un-noticed because the bright lights look sexier.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

A good email sent to Honest John

2010-02-04T17:46:00.000-08:00

I am blogging for drivers that care about others and this mail sent in to Honest John is another to add to my blogroll. You can find him at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/ and at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ plus http://@_HonestJohn

Attention seekers

Over the years we have become used to seeing Volvos and their daytime driving lights. This annoying - and "indicator-hiding" - feature now seems to be spreading to other manufacturers. Recently I've flashed my headlights at Volkswagens, Vauxhalls, BMWs and others before it occurred to me that this may be something new. Worst offenders are Audis, with a very tacky line of LCD lights. Is this a new fashion, or as I suspect, another great new EU requirement?
D.O., Woodmill

It's as you suspect: a new EC requirement to become law on all new cars supplied within the EC from 2011. Actually Audi's LED lights and the separate driving lights on Fiat 500s are a lot less dazzling than Volvo headlights and do not obscure the headlights of motorcycles.

Epilogue

I found this on the website from 13th Oct 2009. I also find the LCD lights tacky but this driver has flashed many cars. If my suspicions are correct many drivers are finding the array of new brighter lights so good that they are actually too good. I hope you can find the time to vote on my petition thanks.

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

Archive from the MBC Club Forum4

2010-02-04T05:03:00.000-08:00

The Big Blinding Blogger Says. I will not repair the grammar or spell-check this mail on the forum. I will endeavor to answer why Flanaia1 is talking and acting like a chavvy.

He obviously likes to drive too fast and the extra lights will make him feel safer. When driving fast with the lights whether on an autobahn doing a 100MPH or more in the outside lane with the crash barriers that have no height shielding, he will probably be dazzling an opposing driver in the outside lane coming the other way.[Difficult for them] If he does this on a narrow country lane with a 70MPH limit what will happen to the driver coming the other way.{Your eyes are fried and it feels like you are seeing stars until you recover] The lights might be like day for him but all drivers coming the other way hate him as I do.

And for quoting Malcolm Wilson about rally days is even more stupid and irritating. [How often do rally cars meet drivers blinding them coming the other way?]

Flanaia1

That fact is total C**p Define speeding? what about countries with no speed limits or higher speed limits than the UK? You try driving at 100 mph+ on a German Autobahn at night with 55w candles on the front, you cannot do it safely so you slow down. Try the same things with Xenons and not a problem.My Scooby has Xenons my Merc doesn't difference at speed is like night and day.

I rember a quote from Malcolm Wilson during my rally driving days " You can only drive as fast as far as you can see" oh How true why do you think Rally cars have all the light pods on them?

Epilogue

I have actually enjoyed reading and answering this post on the thread about Bi-xenon as he has informed us why they are dangerous to others.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Porsche Cayenne!!! or was it Audi Q7!!!

2010-02-04T02:43:00.000-08:00

This blog was not on my agenda but had to be aired. I was travelling south from Finsbury Square towards Bank on Wednesday evening at 22:45 and two lights appeared close behind me. The Bi-xenon light was steaming up my rear view and door mirrors. Boy was this driver close. In fact so close I thought he had a probe that fitted my exhaust and he or she was driving a male vehicle and wanted to make love via that orifice.

From experience I thought this was a Cayenne behind me and the driver now was getting desperate to overtake me as we approach Princess Street even though with width and bollards overtaking is near impossible and should not be considered an option.

I decided to slow a little to see if they would become even more agitated and sadly they responded though refrained from horn honking. At this point I thought if I pull in to the side with my indicators going just before the lights at Lothbury this silly driver [MORON] in my opinion could be captured for this blog. As it passed safely I was ready to take the registration. It is RO59 UHY. Feeling great that I could publish this and an officer of the law might pick up the number and trace this person who obviously treats all other drivers with an attitude un-becoming of what might be thought as normal this person also was a bete-noire, and as beastly as I feel these lights are.

Felling proud with my head held high that I had got the correct registration written down I then paused for a second. Was it a Porsche or Audi Q7 or some other 4X4? My eyes were so fried I forgot what model or probably was unable while my eyes were recovering.

At this stage no matter 99% sure the registration is correct and hopefully this driver is informed of how sadly they have become. All friends and family should read this and it be filmed for us all to see how not to drive.

Epilogue

After 40 years of driving this is not uncommon and with 37 on the Streets of London it is all too apparent that attitude of drivers, and there are too many has to change as well as the regulations about lights that dazzle.

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

Archive from the MBC Club Forum3

2010-02-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Lynall assumes the manufacturer settings and MOT are correct. I say they in my opinion they have got it wrong and my research confirms this.

I can honestly say though that I've never been dazzled by what I would recognise to be a xenon headlamp, only headlamps aligned incorrectly or those on full beam.Agree with this comment by Bobby and I got to and from work in the dark all the time.
Lynall

Epilogue

Lynall’s comment on Bobby’s blog that I wrote up yesterday seems OK. Having researched thoroughly please do not flash those with miss aligned headlights. Flash those with what you think are full beam. I have tried this many times when confronted with headlights that dazzle that I thought were on full beam. Many of those drivers who I thought were on full beam then abused me with their full beam lights.

Special caution ###### Full beam xenon’s fry your eyes like lasers and are quite debilitating. Having had this happen on a number of occasions I was compelled to do something about it and http://www.blindedbixenon.co.uk/ was conceived to stop the lightmare on our roads.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive from the MBC Club Forum 2

2010-02-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

This was someone who replied to yesterday’s blog of mine on the enthusiast’s forum. I will endeavour to comment on his thoughts.

Bobby Dazzler

Read you comments a couple of times, because I'm not sure if you're directing them at conversions, or all xenon headlamps - factory fitted included?I agree, you don't actually need xenon headlamps, but have you driven a vehicle equipped with them?

[All drivers should have a test drive with xenon’s and understand what they do to opposing drivers]

The improvement in visibility is very noticeable, which must be an aid to safety.

[Just because visibility is improved does not mean it is a safety aid. For the driver with them possibly! Not for those facing or being followed by them as they often get misconstrued as Police vehicles.]

A bit like any passive safety feature. You don't need them. But many perceive that it's better to have them than not.

[Passive for whom?]

I take it that you therefore mean that you're not in favour of factory fitted xenon headlamps. You clearly have an opinion which I have no interest in influencing. When I see you coming the other way I'll be sure to switch to side lamps. I can honestly say though that I've never been dazzled by what I would recognise to be a xenon headlamp, only headlamps aligned incorrectly or those on full beam.

[How much night driving do you do? Have you brown eyes as they cope better than blue and green, plus the younger you are generally the easier your eyes cope. Do not be selfish and consider others more senior than yourself]

Epilogue

Bobby dazzler like many drivers thinks those that do dazzle him are on full beam or aligned incorrectly. Often if you give xenon drivers that appear to be on full beam a quick flash they retaliate with their full beam. I have found this out to my cost and take extra care when doing this.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp. Why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Archive fron the MBC Club Forum

2010-01-31T18:41:00.000-08:00

As you do if you are perplexed by something you go digging. I dug this up from the forum. A thread was running on the Bi-xenon lights with nearly 200 postings

I was originally posted by white nemesis

This below was posted by Guy Fawkes

I know personally of three traffic plod who check for aftermarket lights after an accident, any accident, even minor ones.Suddenly finding yourself and vehicle uninsured utterly transforms your day.As a biker I am of the opinion that every vehicle with defective (eg illegal or MOT failure) lights should be crushed...tonight, as it started to spatter with rain, three vehicles in a row with defective headlights followed by a **** in a range rover with xenons bouncing over the sleeping policemen and flashing the ISS, if I had NOT been doing 20 in a residential zone (the oncoming stuff was doing 30-35) I would have killed the small boy in dark clothing on a bmx bike with no lights.

He then went on to write.

If you actually need anything better than 55/60 tungsten filament lights you probably are…. Speeding, or have defective vision.

Epilogue

The vehicle in question was surprise. A Range Rover.

I am often asked are these vehicles that are dazzling others in lots of accidents. The answer is no. The problem is what the lights do to others and as Guy Fawkes explains it is the other chavvies that dazzle and blind you drive of Scot free leaving you [for dead] or in a predicament that would not have happened if the lights were set correctly.

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp but Guy Fawkes view makes complete sense if you drive mostly at night. With views like this why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Ken Clarke's view on blindedbixenon

2010-01-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

Ken,

For years now I have been complaining about being blinded by xenon headlights, not because they have been set too high but simply because, unlike yellow lights, they leave two black areas in one's field of vision which persist for some time. By any standards this is dangerous, and in my view unacceptable when driving. In addition they have an infuriating habit of changing colour from blinding white to blinding blue as the angle from which one views them, changes with relative motion. This is distracting and is therefore also dangerous. My solution is simple - they should be declared illegal.

Ken Clarke

Epilogue:-

It is my opinion that a far stricter MOT is needed for the Bi-xenon headlamp but Ken Clarke’s view is understandable if you drive mostly at night. With views like this why do the Manufacturers and Government ignore us? It would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Mercedes Benz Estate

2010-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

It would be great if I could stop slagging of Major Motor Manufacturers and their cars but on my night of from work at about 630PM I was travelling north on the A217 near the Children’s hospital Tadworth. Long before this Mercedes with dazzling headlights drew up beside and passed me could I see it coming from the rear. The personalised registration V 58 was all too easy to recognise. This Mercedes car had not passed me on the outside lane and its lights shone beyond my own as if on main beam.

In my opinion if the driver of this vehicle could not see that he was persecuting other driver’s eyes then he was doing it deliberately as he knew current regulations allowed this to happen.

Readers please take extra special note! My research on this finds that most Drivers when dazzled from behind or by an oncoming car believe the driver has failed to dip his main beam lights. I have found that the xenon lights are actually on dip. Very confusing as you would expect the regulations and the Manufacturers settings to be correct for safe driving. I truly believe my research puts a question mark over the current regulations.

Epilogue:-

Although this vehicle will probably passes all the current regulations. It blooming well dazzled other Drivers and me. So it would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Audi TT Vauxhall & Porsche Turbo S [They all dazzled me!]

2010-01-26T17:45:00.000-08:00

As I know from bitter experiences not only do most Audi’s dazzle but some Drivers are having their Daytime Running Lights turned of because they think they are a nuisance. At about 8PM Sunday 25 1 10 I was travelling east on Upper Richmond Road Putney being followed by a car with headlights that flooded through my rear screen lighting the inside up like a McDonalds Restaurant. My interior rear view and door mirrors pierced my eyes with unbearable light. Eventually the Road widened and the car could pass. It was a white Audi TT registration CU09 BMF. As Audi’s are on my problem vehicles list which are most likely to dazzle and intimidate other road users it was no surprise.

I will pick on a Vauxhall for a change, as this one was travelling south on Redcliffe gardens registration MA51 KKK which had those upgrade lights. This one once again came in from behind and if you thought Xenon lights give you dazzle wait until you get lights like these. If you read this and know any serving Police Officers that can trace these vehicles a warning might help the rest of us.

The Porsche Cayenne when it comes to dazzling other Drivers is in my opinion verging on criminal negligence on the part of Porsche as when dazzled by this 4X4 recovery of reasonable vision seems to take and endless amount of time. Registration 448 Q59 was seen travelling north on Park Lane W1.

Epilogue:-

All these vehicles pass the current regulations but dazzle other Drivers so it would be appreciated if you vote to change the current regulation with the link below. Thanks

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

Honda BMW & Porsche [All caused discomfort dazzle]

2010-01-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

I will start with the Porsche. This I am pretty sure was the Cayman S and as Honest John the Motoring Correspondent would say the lights on this car were frying all other Motorists eyes including mine. Sadly I failed to get the registration but it was on the Brighton Rd A217 just north of Banstead Cross Saturday 23rd January at about 8PM.

BMW next and I have the registration DS06 HWR black seen on the Talgarth Rd going west with its Bi-xenon Lights frying and blinding or even dazzling all who come close. What I do not understand is why the Police sit back and do f*** a** or is it being left for me to take the plaudits when I prove what many of us know that regulations need to be changed preventing drivers dazzling us at will.

Next we go for a Honda {Civic/sport I think] black with very dark tinted windows and with Registration FU55 FFY. I did not see Driver but these lights were horrendous! The worst I have seen for about 1 month. The Driver that does this actually knows the Police can do very little. It is almost as bad as a woman walking down a busy high street wearing nothing on the top half with two large bosoms. If she stands proud and strolls through like Jesus walking on water all and sundry turn their heads and bump into each other. This car came down Earls court Road with Bi-xenon’s or was it possibly an upgrade [Philips X-treme power or Ring-Xenon’s] and they to me were full beeeeemers and I wanted this one for the blog but who so ever it was they were too quick. I think these upgrade lights were either installed wrongly or possibly deliberately set when fitted to dazzle. Bingo and luckily for me they turned into Pennywern Road SW5 and parked with them still on. I had by that time recovered to take their number. It would be nice if the Police were sensible and had a gentle word with this Driver if that were possible.

The mess is left behind by the perpetrator and she was the causation but not the statistic. A strange comparison but if you can understand my humour you will laugh at my very strange comparison.

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:-

Bentley & BMW X5 were dazzling other Drivers!

2010-01-23T02:03:00.000-08:00

23 January is the day to name and shame a couple of older vehicles. Being dazzled is always worse at the week end. Getting their registration numbers is the difficult part because of recovery time on my eyes. Will it be my union or a safety charity that will take up the banner soon as they are beginning at last to listen? Brownie points on the website search engine have gone through the roof. Sorry folks I am digressing.

Bentley are lucky as I am picking on them again coupled with a classic and common vehicle and at the top of my list of cars with Bi-xenon lights that are most dangerous and intimidating to others.

The Bentley 1st completely wiped the floor with my eyes in Harrowby St W1 near the Victoria Casino but because of parking we had to slow almost to a stop to pass with safety. As he passed secured his registration Black Bentley LF04 HTD and glad I did not meet with these blinding headlights in a narrow country lane!

The BMW X5 2nd burnt my eyes out in my rear view and drivers door mirror at Tower Hill going towards East London about 2am Registration LF54 CGX. Lucky for me the BMW had to stop at the traffic lights giving me time to secure its number after my eyes recovered.

All vehicle makers seem intent on outshining each other and persecuting our eyes so please vote on E petition and check out the DaDRL if you are sensitive in the eyes daytime and rarely drive at night. The links to click are below.

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.

Drivers Over 50ish Beware!

2010-01-20T02:46:00.000-08:00

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.

ADI’s Approved Driving Instructors (Are voting on the RVLR 1989 petition)

2010-01-19T02:41:00.000-08:00

Hi,

My name is Stuart Taylor and I am an ADI from the greater Manchester area and whole-heartedly support this and am going to put this to the AA whom I am franchised to.

Also as an aside I have this year had to purchase some night driving glasses and although they aren't perfect they do help to level the contrast out a bit and therefore causing me to become tired less easily at night which link didn't seem to be made in the article in Decembers ADI News.

Perhaps you could leave some advice to this on your site or in future articles to help others until something is done.

Yours Sincerely,

Stuart Taylor ADI

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.

Are accessory Shops selling us lights that are Dangerous!

2010-01-18T02:35:00.000-08:00

Ken,

Very interesting article on the web site! Here is how I think the problem is further compounded. If you go to Halfords or any motor accessory dealer you will find for sale replacement headlight bulbs that claim to provide greater brightness for the same wattage.

These bulbs are a semi tungsten/xenon type. The bottom line is that gas in the whole envelope glows. Now the reflector optics is designed to focus a POINT source of light i.e. the actual tungsten filament. As the light is emitting from a wide area around the filament IT IS NOW NOT PROPERLY FOCUSED and will cause dazzle.

The MOT test is out of date, and the equipment used to test the headlights does not work for xenon variant bulbs. There are also limits on the wattage of the lamps that can be used on motor vehicles, but there are no limits on the brightness. This was not a problem when we all used the same lamp technology.

I have noticed that the diligent mechanic who last conducted an MOT test on my Shogun, had turned the headlight level adjustment switch to it highest level to test the lights. Weather the MOT regulations demand this procedure I do not know but I would not disagree with it.

Yours Sincerely.

John Astley

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.

Shame on Rolls Royce & Bentley

2010-01-16T21:37:00.000-08:00

16 January 2010 is the day to name & shame even the best. I have long been reporting vehicles that are brand new that appear to dazzle when not on full beam and through research it is the regulation that is wrong and vehicle manufactures are flouting the regulation as in their eyes nothing on the vehicle is illegal.

Rolls Royce registration number EU59 BND dazzled me from behind and even switching my rear view mirror it was impossible for me to use my mirrors. I slowed and allowed the Rolls Royce to draw up and pass me and this is the number of it above seen in Central London. Even though we have plenty of Rolls Royce’s they are not as common as Mercedes or Ford’s. If you see this vehicle or Bentley number 4 AJY which also dazzled me in the same way. Please leave a comment if you see either of these or similar vehicles.

All vehicle makers seem intent on outshining each other and persecuting our eyes so please vote on E petition and check out the DaDRL if you are sensitive in the eyes daytime and rarely drive at night. The links to click are below.

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.

JUST NORTH OF EDINBURGH

2010-01-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

Do we need more proof that xenon lights blind and dazzle? If I had the time I could have written a thousand blogs. This was a slightly inebriated Scottish business man in the big city making the wheels of commerce turn.

Being very chatty thought I would use him as research on my blinding lights issue. I asked him if he had xenon lights on his car and did he think others would find them too bright.

If I find others too bright anyone near me must hate them big time. But they are terrific for driving. I have just changed from a Freelander to a Lexus Hybrid and my other car is the Audi TT.

As he was more than happy with xenon lights and his cars I asked if adjusting the lights down a little lower than the current regulation as not too blind or dazzle other drivers. Could you live with that? To my astonishment he agreed wholeheartedly.

I am glad to say not all Scots hate the English!

A slightly lower setting must be the way to go and make us all less vulnerable to the dazzling effect.

If you have taken time to read this blog and live in the UK please vote on my E Petition at number 10 Downing Street:-

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.

Range Rover (Lights Problems)

2009-12-31T03:26:00.000-08:00

Range Rovers

Some Months back Jaguar/Land Rover replied to me explaining that their vehicles pass current regulations. This I accept but it does not mean that (Range Rovers) are safe for the opposing Drivers.

The letter I received back from their Technical department admitted many vociferous complaints had come their way.

At times I am a bit boring on this subject but remember if you are following me (big blinding blogger) and www.blindedbixenon.co.uk my first big discovery was a Salesman sold a Range Rover to a customer and then asked the questions:-

Have you driven with the Bi-xenon headlights and do you drive at night much. Answer:-

It was yes to both. Reply:-

Be very careful as your new lights are about 30% brighter and so good that other drivers will flash you. But do not worry as your vehicle passes all Government tests.

From all my research I believe that Jaguar/Land Rover actually know that their vehicles dazzle/temporary blind (thousands) of other road users and are cheating us by using these words. (Our vehicles pass all current regulations)

In the early hours of the last day of 2009-12-31 I spoke to another willing Range Rover Driver who was staying at the Renaissance Hotel Holborn and commutes between London and Wales. Not only does he get flashed by other Drivers that dislike the glare from his Bi-xenon lights he also agreed that other Drivers are doing the same to him.

If you have taken time to read this blog and live in the UK please vote on my E Petition at number 10 Downing Street:-

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

Recieved Interesting Email

2009-12-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

Received this from HJ Motoring correspondent. Porsche are on my list as being vehicles with xenon lights that are dangerous and intimidating to other drivers.

Hi Ken,

I hadn't heard of you, but that's a brilliant idea (to use the wrong word).I'm fully in favour of three 'angles' of attack.One is against retro-fitting of Xenon's to cars that don't have automatic load compensation motors.Two is maintenance of those load compensation motors. They either react too slowly, or break.Three is left dipping. Nothing is more likely to blind you on a motorway when you are in the correct lane than the dipped Xenon's of a Porsche or something frying your eyeballs via the drivers door mirror as it comes up behind to overtake.

Epilogue

Thanks HJ.

Porsche cars are great pieces of engineering but be better for the rest off us if they could get their lighting set not to dazzle others!

There is a petition to sign if you wish to help in getting these lights set to a standard that would suit the majority of drivers. Go to http://www.blindedbixenon.co.uk/ and register via the green petition link.

Approved Driving Instructor News

2009-12-18T01:54:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers,

In this crazy world of new technological advancements have we gone too far. The Bi-xenon lights on cars are wonderful to drive with. Like a floodlit Football match or Film set. Most of the fors and against are covered by Paul Caddick and myself in the Feature Story on Page 20 of the December issue of ADI News. (A BLINDING CHRISTMAS)

www.blindedbixenon.co.uk

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/blindedbixenon/

If you cannot get a copy I will post on here at a later date.

Good Christmas to all.

Remember if you have more sensitive eyes and the Daytime Running Lights bother you. Especially those with the Audi Models. I have spoken to a number of drivers who have returned to their dealer to have them turned off. Check out on link below.

http://www.dadrl.org.uk/

Interesting Archive from DaDRL

2009-11-28T22:16:00.000-08:00

June 2007
The Austrian Ophthalmologic Society bans daytime running lights
Accentuating one group of 'traffic-relevant objects' makes all the other objects less conspicuous - worst case - they might turn into sub-threshold stimuli hence escaping attention - to be overlooked .....
July 2008

Austria: since Daytime Running Lights were banned on 1 January 2008, less accidents for road users have been reported:

Minus 5% fatalities

Minus 25% biker-accidents

We endorse the Ban Daytime Running Lights in the USA! Petition to General Motors, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Read the Ban Daytime Running Lights in the USA! Petition

Name
Comments
Do you own a car equipped with DRLS
Do you want The NHSTA to make DRL's mandatory?
1286 Total Signatures

Are Volvo drivers blind? - James May Sunday Mirror

From: Keith Lewis Sent: 12 October 2006 22:04To: dadrl

As a motorcycle instructor it is mandatory for me to use dipped headlights whilst instructing - I use a BIG White bike and wear a white helmet and have still had motorists pull out in front of me and my students - if a Driver cant see a motorcycle or other road user at a distance that is likely to result in a accident then lights wont make any difference.

People who use glaring lights deserve a good slapping'!!!.
Terry Wogan Radio 2

Audi R8’s. Have you found they dazzling you?

2009-11-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

Audi R8’s. Have you found they dazzling you?

I tried to tread carefully with this driver. Being young and I assume reasonably well of and with two ladies and a friend they were staying at the Hilton Park Lane. I thought they were going to the club at the side in Hertford Street. They were not yet three sheets to the wind and possibly good research for blindedbixenon.

I quickly discovered one lady in the back had suffered at the hands of the Bi-xenon lighting system as she said the slightly blue ones that dazzle you. It often is explained like that without much prompting.

The chap behind me on the jockey seat was eager to tell me he owned an Audi R8 and how fantastic the lights were including the rather garish row of daytime running side lights that many drivers find abhorrent.

There fantastic down a country lane and main beam is not needed as the lights are so good. What about the drivers coming towards you? It does not matter as my vision is perfect. Obviously wasting my time talking to him so I suggested that he take one of my flyer's that will direct him to all the appropriate information on why he is blinding other drivers and that he read it tomorrow.

He handed it back to me saying he did not want to discredit his own car. The lady in the back then spoke up give it to me as I might vote for you.

Epilogue:

At night I have not seen an Audi R8 that has not dazzled me and the sidelights in the rain are awful to deal with. I am sure those that are day drivers with the DaDRL must have also had problems. Please comment on this blog as it will help. Luckily for the rest of us you do not come towards them too often. I do hope an Audi employee reads this as many Audi models are becoming a danger to others and I have come across a number of drivers that have had their daytime lights extinguished as they feel that it is offending other drivers. At least some people understand enough to care.

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

If daytime lights are becoming a problem to you click the link below.

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

Israeli Businessman

2009-11-23T18:31:00.000-08:00

I reported or wrote an earlier blog or letter explaining that this light problem is global. This time I managed to pick up an Israeli in South Kensington going on a short hop to the Kensington Olympia Hotel.

If I am going to get any research information on short journeys I have to act quickly. How has your day been? 24 hours travelling and business meetings. Do you drive I said? Only back in Israel where I live. Sometimes even Policeman and truckers find my questioning hard to understand so someone who has been travelling and working all day coupled with the fact he comes from another country it must seem strange to be questioned about driving back home by your taxi driver.

Once again I must have trod on something I had only travelled a short distance and a car with Bi-xenon lights were beaming straight at us in Kensington High Street. Even with all the ambient light the Bi-xenon beams hit us both in our eyes like lasers punishing the brains sense of perspective for a short while until we passed. It does happen quickly but the light is so strong your eyes take a time to recover which could lead to an accident.

I asked my Israeli passenger if he would like one of my flyer leaflets for checking information on my website blogger and twitter with extra information on my you tube video.

To my surprise he said he does a lot of driving in Israel and the new lights are causing problems there too. Taking my leaflet he said this is a very important thing you do and I will check your website out.

Epilogue:

Some drivers cope with the xenon lights better than others. The Manufacturers and dealers need to take a fresh look as well over 50% of people I research often find these new lights a problem that puts them in danger.

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

If daytime lights are becoming a problem to you click the link below.

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

My Dubai Princess

2009-11-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

This princess was a student that I assume was from Dubai. I never asked her age but she was studying probably at Kingston University.

Her father was probably OK as he was well heeled enough to buy his princess a nice new BMW convertible with the Bi-Xenon lights. Dad had a Range Rover.

My research on this student princess was extremely dazzling and blindingly helpful on my lights issue.

She new that her Bi-Xenon lights were very good like stadium floodlights! But had not considered that others would find them really difficult. But what was even more interesting was she sometimes drove at night with dad following in his Range Rover and had found even with the interior rear view mirror shading some of the dazzle from dad's car it was just an impossible situation.

After going through how Jaguar/Land Rover had replied to me admitting many had complained that their lights dazzle she thanked me and said she would vote on my e petition at number 10.

Epilogue:

How I know she was from Dubai she said back home almost all vehicles have the Bi-Xenon lights and cars without actually look odd. The roads are very different and the standard of driving is far worse than in the UK.

The Dagenham Dustbin

2009-11-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

I wonder if there is anyone old enough to remember this name that was used for Ford cars. The driver of a Ford Focus Zetec with the Bi-Xenon headlamps is a far cry from the old Cortinas and Capri’s like Dennis Waterman had in minder.

Never the less this driver from Fulham was of out for a wee dram so fortunately for me a good subject before the alcohol.

Questioning him on his bi-xenon’s like many drivers readily admitted that a few drivers were irritated by his lights and had retaliated with a flash. Because he did not do a lot of night driving it was only a few, but as we began to get further into why I was campaigning to get the lights lowered to a level that did not dazzle others like well over 50% of people I research he was in complete agreement and so hopefully will vote when he looks at the website.

Another thing that pleased me was he referred to his parents and said that when travelling with them his dad would have the odd groan about the brightness of the bi-xenon lights but had also noticed his mum was really bothered and if they were in her face she would flash the driver coming towards her.

This is the real problem and where my E Petition comes in he had noticed the same as his mum but after flashing the other driver retaliated with main beam which was even more powerful than the lights that were showing that were on dip but appeared to be on full.

Epilogue:

I believe that all manufacturers know that generally most drivers are being dazzled to an extent. I have confirmation in writing from Jaguar/Land Rover that they have had many vociferous complaints about their lights but had done nothing because at present they are working within the law. The amount varies from irritating to dangerous. Because the current RVLR 1989 allows this all Manufacturers will carry on selling these lights for large amounts of money with total disregard at what these lights do to others.

In my opinion most Xenon’s although good for those sitting at the wheel behind them are dangerous to all other motorists who have to deal with them.

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

If daytime lights are becoming a problem to you click the link below.

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

Policeman on Motorcycles

2009-11-19T18:33:00.000-08:00

Having been a pedal cyclist and a motorcyclist I do realise how vulnerable two wheels are. Lighting at night is then much more important to the rider as it could be the difference between life and death.

Today not only do many powerful lights on vehicles dazzle/temporary blind other drivers but the same problem is also prevalent from motorcycles.

Having read an article in driving magazine on the motorcycle the Police use and how easy it should be to adjust the headlights and set them not to dazzle other road users I needed to find out from the Police direct.

I spotted two riders in Belgrave Square and proceeded to follow them waiting for my opportunity to stop them safely. Managing to get beside the straggler of the two of them whose lights in my opinion were set just a wee bit high enough to dazzle other road users my questions began to flow. This young officer was quite happy to chat with me but quickly confirmed what is happening with many new motorcycles. The headlights on these new motorcycles are so good that when drivers see them they perceive I want them to stop as my headlight appears to flash and puts the motorist of.

I knew these lights were dazzling me and others on a nightly basis but its great when an officer admits it directly. So how can we use what is a good improvement for the rider that then doesn’t then blind other road users.

Motorcyclists need to be seen and lighting on their bikes needs to be noticed. The accident rate of these motorcycles is extremely high. [For the average rider/not the Police} I believe a combination of over brightness that dazzles other drivers making it hard for that driver to see if he or she is dealing with a car with one headlamp or a motorcycle could be their own downfall.

This particular problem is going to harder to deal with than my current ongoing petition at number 10. Dazzling/blinding incidences from motorcycles is a growing concern and I believe many riders do not realise they are blinding drivers.

Having spoken to only one officer who rides a motorcycle and him giving me confirmation he has problems it appears that more thought than throwing brighter lighting at the driver/rider is not a definitive answer and needs to be looked at with more than bright lighting that is clearly detrimental to others.

Epilogue:

I don’t think reducing the brightness of the lighting plus making sure riders that carry pillions or transport large parcels remember to readjust the headlamps with the weight change and reflective marking which should glow in maybe a more uniform style than any current reflectors that make it obvious you have a motorcycle in your headlights view safety for all could be improved considerably.

I think this even for me is much more tricky than that of car headlights and if you manage to get through this blog I would love you to make the effort and give me some of your comments as there needs to be something better than what we have at the present time.

Motorcycle Despatch Rider from Stoke Newington

2009-11-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

14th Nov 2009 Drivers against daytime running lights will love this one http://www.dadrl.org.uk/

Being a despatch rider must be tough especially with slow traffic pedestrians’ cyclists not obeying the Highway Code.

This chap was interested in doing the knowledge but knew it to be very hard and I personally don’t think even if he registers that he will complete it.

It was what he said that confirmed what I already knew.

Quote

[To be noticed I drive with main beam on all day.]

I am seldom out daytime but have seen this too often.

Epilogue

Motorcycles may well benefit from lights in the daytime but I think it needs regulating otherwise those benefits may be lost in dazzling others.

If daytime lights are becoming a problem to you click the link below.

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

Mercedes-Benz Story on Friday 13th Nov 2009

2009-11-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

Once again Mercedes-Benz you should be listening to the customers that purchase your cars. My passion if you read my blog roll is the dangers of lighting at night and through my job I was fortunate on this stormy night to pick up a customer from the Earls Court Exhibition up from Brighton and staying in London.

Chatting about my lights issue as I often do I asked this chap about if he drives and what car etc. Being only a short journey I asked do you have Halogen lights or Xenon lights? To my surprise without any prompting he said I have the lights that annoy and blind other people.

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

Mercedes-Benz 200 Kompressor 270/290CDI

2009-11-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

It was some time ago that I started this quest of improving the standard of lighting on all cars and vehicles at night.

Living close to Gatwick Airport friends and relatives often wish to leave their cars here while away to sunnier climates. This will be the 1st of two blogs. It is quite old but very important.

I was blessed with the use of two Mercedes of identical blue colour with body shape that seemed almost identical but for accessories/extras for each particular model.

The CDI was equipped with the Xenon Headlights.

The Kompressor with the Halogen Headlights and headlamp scroll adjustor.

Being fortunate at having a garden with drive of well in excess of 200metresI positioned both vehicles side by side with dipped beam on. The Xenon headlights on the dipped beam setting were almost as good as the Kompressor on main beam with the adjustor on the highest setting possible.

The result being the CDI on main beam would most definitely dazzle other drivers causing them to be in danger of dealing with the Xenon light.

Quote

In my opinion most Xenon’s although good for those sitting at the wheel behind them are dangerous to all other motorists who have to deal with them.

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

Blindedbixenon.co in Canada

2009-11-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

A Global Phenomenon

Blindedbixenon.co in Canada

My chosen profession as a London Taxi Driver is proving crucial in my efforts to reduce road accidents at night. Wow a second story for the blog roll on the same evening.

A Canadian Industrialist working with chemical pumps happened to be in London staying in Marylebone hailed me to go to his daughters flat in Highbury/Stoke Newington wait and return.

Once again time to chat about my lights campaign. Wow again this engineer had a Company car with the Bi-Xenon headlamps but then went on to say he actually dislikes them whilst Driving.

Keeping the message short he does little Driving at night and even though he hates Driving when others are in range who have the same lights as himself will suffer them because they do make it easier when you have them.

I then remarked what about the Driver like myself that does a full shift. 8 hours possibly with these lights constantly dazzling you.

His sympathies were with me and he was going to check my website.

EPILOG

This engineer was so on the ball about my plight I think he will go home check to see if his setting is a little high and will get AUDI to lower them to reduce the chance of blinding/dazzling other Drivers.

He also said these lights probably won’t disappear but if you get the slightly lower setting it will be generally better for most Drivers.

You can only vote if you are resident in the UK.

Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation

Or if the Daytime running lights are what bothers you please go to

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

Canadian Residents can vote on DaDRL but at present I have not found an equivalent organisation in the Canada with the same criteria as blindedbixenon.co

I am receiving huge amounts from hits from the Canada on my twitter site http://twitter.com/ my@theblinder and if there is not one someone in the Canada I am sure will take up the challenge. Are there any Canadian citizens that are like RALPH NADER trying to take on Motor Giants? USA citizens have mentioned me in the same breath that I am like RALPH taking on the Motor Giants. Makes my efforts all the more worthwhile!

Blindedbixenon.co in the United States of America

2009-11-09T02:28:00.000-08:00

Blinded in the USA

Is a short story about two Ladies from Connecticut who loved my campaign efforts!

Through the job I do as a London Taxi I have a brilliant opportunity getting news from around the Globe. These Blog Roll Stories must be written up immediately though or they lose some of there impact.

The two Ladies had come to visit as one had a daughter working and living in London. They hailed me as getting home to South Kensington just after a Chelsea Manchester United game was more than difficult. 40,000 supporters leaving will clog things up.

My opportunity was to quiz them on blindedbixenon USA. Wow as soon as I said do they Drive back home and have they seen or know of the Headlamp called Bi-Xenon. Music to my ears and almost in tune they both barked bark at me (We hate them).

I gave them a flyer leading to the website etc.

What then pleased me most of all was the lady who was visiting her daughter said even though I cannot vote my daughter will as she will do it for her.

EPILOG

These Bi-Xenon lights are not just a UK problem but a truly Global one. Blindedbixenon.co aims to get a tighter control over the height adjustment and significantly reduces instances of dazzle which is Dangerous to other Motorists confronted by the Glare which can almost disable the eyes completely leaving you defenceless.

You can only vote if you are resident in the UK.

Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation

Or if the Daytime running lights are what bothers you please go to

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

USA Residents can vote on DaDRL but at present I have not found an equivalent organisation in the US with the same criteria as blindedbixenon.co

I am receiving a huge amounts from hits from the USA on my twitter site at my@theblinder http://twitter.com/ and if there is not one someone in the US I am sure will take up the challenge. Just mention this as many US citizens have said you are a mini RALPH NADER trying to take on Motor Giants.

Dazzled Who Wins

2009-11-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

Senior/Older Drivers Verses Xenon

A HID headlamp manufacturer touting the fact that a "xenon bulb produces more than twice the amount of light of a halogen bulb,"6 answered the question "Why does xenon light sometimes appear to irritate oncoming drivers?"6 by explaining that "due to the conspicuous colour of xenon light,drivers are more inclined to look in the headlamps."6 Older drivers encountering HID headlights on a winding two lane highway know that"photophilia" isn't the answer.
Night driving can push any visual system to its limits. Conventional clinical glare tests underestimate disability glare from moving light sources. Disability glare increases with increasing glare source brightness.HID headlights are brighter than conventional tungsten-halogen headlights.Thus, they cause more disability glare under identical viewing circumstances.
Visual quality declines with ageing, even in individuals with 20/20 visual acuity. Glare due to introacular light scattering increases with ageing,prompting many older drivers to curtail their night driving activities.Increased glare from HID headlights is one more visual hurdle for the older driver.
Aircraft landing lights would allow automobile drivers to see farther down a road. They would also incapacitate oncoming drivers. Brighter headlights do provide increased visibility for older drivers who use them. They also cause more glare for older drivers who confront them. The optimal balance in headlight brightness between owner visibility and viewer disability depends on the driving situation, but technologies are available for more adaptable,less bothersome headlight systems.
Governmental regulations determine which headlights we encounter. Acceptance or rejection of the current generation of HID xenon headlights ultimately depends on their record in traffic and litigation. Xenon bulbs make good headlights. They also make good glare sources. The additional light they project is valuable. Questions remain regarding how and where it should be projected. Until these questions are resolved, for many older drivers confronting stylish HID headlights on two lane roads, glare rather than beauty will be in the eye of the beholder.

This information came via the

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights ...

Would you like to help? Please go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation

A Senior Lawyer

2009-11-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Take it from me since starting research for blindedbixenon.co the can of worms is most certainly open. A senior from J & D at the back of Fleet Street. A prominent Law Firm. Being gracious he was not young in years and living more in Ibetha than the UK. Finding it impossible to drive when dark thought it was his eyes and age.

AN OPTICIAN explained much earlier to me that in simple terms when reaching 45ish and that is for us all our eyes reaction to being dazzled will take longer to recover.

This had happened to this Lawyer and {QUOTE: He said I thought it was me) an age thing that because of being older your eyes are less tolerant.

Had your prescription changed? No.

What I would like to know is how many drivers suffer because the Manufacturers VOSA the DSA Dft forgets to take this Medical advice into account?

Make Night Driving more pleasant for seniors too!

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

An ADI's Story

2009-11-04T05:33:00.000-08:00

When will the Motor Manufacturers listen?

I am still finding it amazing how I manage to pick up good stories/information for blindedbixenon.co.uk

I was handing a flyer to a Driving Instructor in the BP petrol station at Kingswood on the 217. The instructor was so pleased to hear something was trying to be done about not only the xenon headlights but also found the new LED sidelights slightly overpowering. They are very bright and can mesmerise you to the point of distraction.

If they are doing that they must be dangerous which my thoughts are completely in tune with.

What was more than interesting was this Instructor was teaching a pupil when around a blind bend came what he said he thought was one of the new AUDI’s with LED,s and Bi-xenon’s. A combination that dazzled his pupil so badly he had to take charge of the steering wheel.

Another professional about to vote on the E Petition so that these lights do not endanger others! Even better he was not an independent so will inform the other drivers at his Driving school.

A City Stockbroker

2009-11-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

His two cars were an AUDI and a Jaguar/Land Rover Freelander.

Research can be great and this City Slicker was no exception. He found my problem with Bi-xenon lighting more than interesting.

The Freelander lights although not as good as the Bi-xenon if used correctly with the scroll switch are more than adequate. He was surprised that the poor knowledge of drivers that do not use or know of its existence. Great when you can converse with other drivers that accept their lights may be a danger or irritate others.

His second car was an AUDI. Sadly I forgot to ask which model AUDI but it is one with the Daylight Running Lights. They are irritating to me in the daytime but it’s at night when they come into there own and coupled with the Bi-xenon headlights are a total disaster to someone who has sensitive eyes. There are far more drivers than the Manufacturers and the Government realise that find them a nuisance.

They are especially awful in rain mist and fog as an uneven row of lights will cause many reflections in all sorts of directions making driving even more hazardous!

The only way to get them to listen is by voting for change. You can do this by going to

Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation

Or if the Daytime running lights are what bothers you please go to

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

The Living Streets [Safety Issues]

2009-11-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

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

Go Living Streets on twitter http://twitter.com/livingstreets

RENAULT TRAFIC

2009-11-01T01:35:00.000-07:00

I had a great conversation with a policeman about the headlamps. As we were fuelling our vehicles in the BP garage Lower Kingswood I asked him if other drivers had flashed his vehicle whilst he was driving. The policeman said yes many times. I asked him if he had used his headlamp adjustment switch, and once again to my surprise the Officer politely asked me to show him where his switch was, and how to use it. We met a few minutes later after filling our vehicles up in the shop and I certainly had got him thinking as he said to me I think many more road users would have flashed my wrongly set lights but for the fact I was driving a Police Van.

Just imagine if all Police vehicles had xenon lights. To stop incedents of dazzle plese vote on ly petition.

Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

If it is a problem with the Daytime Running Lights that effect you please vote on the DaDRL link

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights ...

CHRYSLER 300C SALOON

2009-11-01T01:21:00.000-07:00

This model also seems to have a dazzling headlight problem although not many appear to be on our streets the ones I do see generally are atrocious. Once again I managed to capture a driver whilst filling up with fuel. The driver of the 300C was very accommodating, showing me how the bixenon lights self-level with an ambient over glow from these powerful lights. He then showed me a manual switch that will override the automatic setting of the bixenon lights. To me this seems to defeat the object of self-leveling. I would appreciate anyone reading this that has knowledge of the 300C is this standard on all models as this one came via Germany and may have had special editions on it.

A manual override on lights that are supposed to be automatic just does not make sense!

I have a Petition to help reduce dazzling instances.

PORSCHE CAYENNE

2009-10-31T18:23:00.000-07:00

A rather interesting chap from Chipstead Rd Fulham was enjoying getting to grips with the Bi-xenon story. He had realized that his Porsche was dazzling other drivers. Taking the time and trouble he returned it to his dealer to reset the automatic lights. The garage confirmed his lights were ok but nothing was done and his lights were still awful to others. He assured me that as he knew his lights were dazzling others because of our conversation he would return to his garage and insist on lowering the initial setting of his headlights.

He wanted me to give a definative answer as to why porsche did not change his headlight settings.

At present they are abiding to the current regulations which in my opinion have not caught up with this new generation of lighting!

PORSCHE CAYENNE

2009-10-31T17:33:00.000-07:00

I spoke to a lady that had owned a Porsche Cayenne for three years. When she drove at night she regularly was flashed by other road users but had no idea why. When it went for its MOT to the local garage it failed the Cayenne because the headlamps beams were too high. They were not a Porsche affiliated garage so she was asked to take the vehicle to Porsche to have the lights reset. The Porsche garage found no fault with the lights and was an MOT approved garage.

The lights do pass current regulations. I think that means the regulations need to be changed?

The House of Commons

2009-09-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Security is big and understandable, but once I am inside parking under the shadow of Big Ben is powerfully impressive. Luckily for me I had time to park up and wait for my customer. Whilst chatting to two of the Police on security duty I had time to give them my flyer and get them to read the [Lightmare article in Driving Magazine]. I wont be thanked if he reads this but one of the Policeman had hired a car for the weekend and loaded it quite heavily. A new vehicle with great reflectors even if the lights are not bixenon when high beaming due to weight can be very dangerous to other road users on a country lane. As this officer was driving he was totally unaware of the pain and distress he was causing to other drivers. He had not noticed other drivers had been flashing him with their distress, it actually took a passenger in his car to say how come we are a long way from home and you know so many people along this road. I am glad to say he then openly admitted he was one of the many thousands of culprits who have caused distress to others. I am glad to say he then found his scroll headlamp adjustment switch set his lights properly and after reading my article will hopefully be more aware and not distress other drivers

The Knowledge

2009-09-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

TX1 LONDON TAXI 1997

Had a conversation with the driver of the above Taxi in the Texaco garage next to Asda Rhoehampton 2am approx. Like most of us working at night he had been blinded many times by other road users. I asked him if he had ever used his headlamp adjustment switch. To my amazement he never knew he had such a switch. Upon checking his lights lowering his beam angle from 0 to 2 he was amazed that his lights set on 0 would definitely blind other road users. After telling me he had the R registration Taxi from new and never used his headlamp beam adjuster or even knew of its existence. I am glad to say he went away happy with his newly acquired knowledge.

A Lady With Style & BMW X5

2009-09-20T21:10:00.000-07:00

I spoke to a very nice lady from the Midlands who had brought a new X5, and after being flashed nearly 50 times in the first two days of owning her BMW she telephoned her brother as she could find no way of lowering her dipped beam and she knew she was blinding others. Luckily for her the brother had a Range Rover that had the same problem. He proceeded to tell his sister to take her new X5 back to where it was brought and get them to readjust the headlights. The BMW dealership said nothing was wrong with her headlights. I am glad to say my lady was adamant and refused to leave the showroom in her new vehicle unless her lights were cranked down. This was done very reluctantly by the BMW dealership.

Go to Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation ...

If daytime lights are becoming a problem to you click the link below.

DaDRL UK Vote against Daytime Running Lights

Blinding others

2009-09-06T15:50:00.000-07:00

Independent businessman (Chelsea Bridge Wharf)

Another big story as I did the survey on Blinding Lights the businessman above had had a number of problems with the lights as his eyes were sensitive and found the lights from other vehicles were blinding him.

What was most tragic he once had a BMW with the bixenon lights and was fed up with other drivers flashing him? In fact the problem with other drivers flashing him got so bad he would retaliate by flashing them.

As our conversation went on the Penny dropped that the reason he was getting flashed was he was blinding them as his vehicle was supplied wrongly and the garages are still sending them out wrongly because the current test is inadequate.

Survey for Opticians

2009-09-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

Online petition or survey that could be carried out by opticians

Light sensitive eye test to be carried out in participating opticians as I believe it is apparent from my campaign there are more than 50% of drivers that suffer due to the introduction of the new bixenon lights.

The small questionnaire should probably ask.

1: Are you a driver and do you drive at night A) Often
B) Occasionally
C) Very Little

2: When driving at night do the new brighter lights on all vehicles including busses bother you? A) Yes
B) No

3: Did you think it was just particularly you? A) Yes
B) No

4: If you find the lights a problem is it worse when vehicles come up close from behind or when coming towards you. A) Towards you
B) From behind you

5: What is your eye colour?

Although it's not a hard and fast rule dark brown eyes generally let in less light than tyhe lighter blue or green eyes.

Do you believe the Manufacturers and Government has not taken enough consideration into light sensitive eyes.

Motorcycles

2009-09-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

I had to do some digging for this one I have found being blinded from Motorcycles like all vehicles is becoming a regular occurrence. Weekends seemed to be the worst and the obvious dry days of the limited summer gives us each year,

Sadly I feel in my opinion the Government has got this wrong too and have been running a campaign to make sure Motorcyclists have bright lights day and night. This I found is just throwing another problem into the mix. Lights on these Motorcycles do help during the day but when it comes to the hours of darkness the headlights on these bikes are so good and often set incorrectly as to blind oncoming drivers. This problem is far worse when a pillion is carried and to adjust the headlight down is rarely used and why at weekends this is more prevalent. Especially on a country lane where many of these Motorcyclists die!

I quoted before 40% of all accidents happen in the hours of darkness well surprise I have found 65% of all deaths in England and Wales are from Motorcycles.

The scenario is as I am definitely being blinded by new lights on these during daylight hours when it comes to night time these bikes are as bad as cars and other vehicles and when they are coming down a lane you are not sure if it’s the one eyed monster which is the vehicle with only one headlight which confuses many of us. If I remember correctly Ealing council tried running a campaign without much success so we have the problem and can we deal with it. Blindedbixenon will try if our other is successful.

Our petition at Parliament at the moment is to revise the light act because of the dangers that the bixenon so please vote.

Let’s keep Motorcycles on the back burner as 65% is a huge amount to work on. The distress too many families and especially that of the rider who does not get to enjoy life.

Lives lost due to some very tiny adjustments and slightly inadequate training can be done if we are successful with our first e petition.

Fleet Owners Info

2009-09-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

Dear sir or Madam,

My name is Ken Perham and I am attempting to reduce accidents injuries and loss of life in the hours of darkness.

I am very positive if you take on board my suggestions you will find your drivers that I regularly see at night will be better received than thought of as white van man which is a slang term for drivers with company vans who are probably a little aggressive in their approach to driving and in getting to and from their current job.

I am actually not sure how big your fleet is but I feel sure it is quite comprehensive and as you say you are a progressive company you could be the first to take on board what I am trying to achieve.

I have found that the lack of knowledge of not the younger driver’s but those with 20 or more years driving experience who actually quite often have a reasonable record of competence have no idea that on the Van or Car that they are driving has a headlamp scroll switch that will probably lower the dip beam when carrying heavy loads if set correctly in the first place.

I could go on for hours on this lights subject but what I would appreciate if this letter gets to your department that deals with your vehicles that get involved in accidents in the hours of darkness and you find a common denominator with your vehicles being involved in accidents because the drivers had fully laden vehicles and had not lowered their lights I am sure we could discuss this further.

I have a letter from Rosie Winterton our Minister of Transport actually stating most drivers with these Headlamp switches do not use them.

Here are a couple of stories that back up my claims. I spoke to a Police officer who was driving a Renault Trafic at the time and I asked him about hid headlamp adjustment switch and gave him some of my paperwork on the subject of safer night driving and being blinded by drivers with lack of knowledge of driving with heavy loads. The officer asked me to show him his switch.

A Gas engineer from Onstream gas came to my house to change my outdated gas meter driving a Vauxhall Vivarro which is very similar to the Renault and the driver of this van had actually had an altercation with a driver the night before he came to me. The driver of the other vehicle complained to my engineer that he was being blinded but my man had no idea or knowledge of his headlight adjustment switch and was so amazed when I showed him he was eager to sign the petition I had started trying to raise awareness’ and improve the roads for the benefit of us all.

Look up my website blindedbixenon.co.uk and as a driver myself that has worked solely at night for the last 36 years in central London I feel many problems out there at night could be dealt with in a more organised way.

Yours sincerely Ken Perham

Edenbridge Fireman

2009-09-06T15:09:00.001-07:00

A Fireman’s Story

Research for blindedbixenon has thrown up some good and bad in the people I question especially if they are in positions like the Fire service, Police and Ambulance etc.

Questioning has become a way of life at the moment and Solicitors have become the target on every high street but while pacing around Edenbridge I came across a tiny Fire station and never to miss an opportunity looked to see if anyone was available to talk to.

Only one officer available but that’s all you need as I went through my routine questioning about my lights issue. Like many he had noticed the improvement in the lights but only does a limited amount of driving at night but understood that the more you were on the road the more the lights could make you tired because of the brightness.

Bingo something new and those who read this don’t think its cart Blanche to drive like the many fast drivers we meet on a regular basis. Firstly he thought my lights issue was probably a contributing factor to some accidents. The brightness was also making driving more difficult for some. The bingo bonus was he had noticed over the last ten years that the crumple zones on cars of all shapes and sizes has been improved dramatically to the point that when vehicles have crashes they the Fire service don’t have to cut so many drivers out. Even though this safety feature was not on my agenda it was good to know the manufacturers had something of an improvement in safety.

Petition support

2009-09-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Ken,

Thank you for setting this petition up - I have just signed it. I'm so glad someone is making a stand on these dreadful and, in my opinion, dangerous headlights. I am absolutely dreading the winter when I have to drive to work and home again in the dark. All because of these halogen lamps. There really is no need to have them so bright that they blind oncoming drivers. The old style head lamps were just as good. All we need is enough light to see the road ahead, not to make flightpath landing lights for oncoming aircraft! I wonder for whose benefit the head lamps were intended for in the first place - it certainly couldn't have been for the ordinary driver. Why would we want to be dazzled and blinded every time we take to the road? I live near some very dark country roads so the Bixenon lights are even more pronounced. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the reason behind many accidents - I'm certain they will cause a lot more.

And as for lorries using them, well that's just a joke! They are already lit up like Xmas trees at night. You can see them coming from miles away. Only trouble is, they don't seem to see us until after they've gone in to the back of us!

I do hope you get your petition heard and agreed with as I really would like to be able to drive at night without being constantly blinded. If the Govt. don't listen, perhaps they will pay someone to design special night glasses for us all to use?

Thanks again and good luck.

Kind regards

Deborah Smith

Blinded by the light

2009-08-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

You may have seen the informative article on the pressures and problems of night driving in the December edition of Driving magazine. This was written by our own Howard Redwood in association with Ken Perham, a London taxi driver, who for the last 37 years has worked only at night.

Ken has been campaigning tirelessly about the intensity and design of the bi-xenon lighting system on modern cars. This system is standard equipment on many models now and produces a system which is up to 60% brighter than standard halogen lamps.

Manufacturers extol the virtues of this in their sales literature, saying how much safer it makes driving at night. The problem with the system is that it ‘floats’ and does not have a scroll switch to enable the driver to adjust the height of the lights according to the load being carried. This causes severe dazzle to anyone in front of the vehicle – not just oncoming drivers but anyone travelling in the same direction as well.

Ken is constantly hearing tales of woe from passengers who have taken their bi-xenon equipped vehicles back to the dealership, explaining that they are constantly being flashed by oncoming vehicles and asking for their headlamps to be set correctly.

Needless to say, dealerships tell customers they cannot alter the lights – and not only because they have no guidelines for this system. They insist that the lights have been factory set so they must be legal!

Recent statistics show that 40% of all road traffic collisions (RTCs) between October and March take place during the hours of darkness. Although the statistics do not specifically list how many of these collisions are due to dazzle, it is recognised to have played a part in a significant number of them.

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (RVLR) 1989 are unequivocal. Schedule 4, Part 1, Section 4 clearly states that lights must not be set to dazzle other drivers.

(As an aside, this brings up the use of the scroll switch for adjusting headlamp height. A great number of high mileage truck and car drivers have told Ken that they had never been taught how to use a scroll switch to set lights according to loads carried. It’s an interesting point. Using one is straightforward enough, but perhaps this question should be added to ‘Show me, tell me’ questions.)

Ken has now finally got the attention of his two local MPs and has set up a petition on the government’s No10 website. If you’ve been dazzled by bi-xenon headlights, the address of Ken’s website is www.blindedbixenon.co.uk. And it only takes a few minutes to log on to http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/blindedbixenon/ and add your name or organisation to the petition to get the RVLR 1989 updated.

Let’s try and make it safer for everyone!

2009-08-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

Click here: Petition to: revise the RVLR 1989 regulation about dazzling of other drivers. Lights must not be set to dazzle oth

DO YOU DRIVE AT NIGHT?

Have you been blinded by new vehicle lights?

www.blindedbixenon.co.uk has an ongoing study on the bi-xenon headlamp as well as the old halogen. We have found instances of blinding from the new bi-xenon lamp to be so bad that you are partially blinded and believe this to be an unnecessary danger and hazard. Although the lights appear to be beneficial to the driver the problems caused to other road users and pedestrians are far worse.

The predecessor to bi-xenon, is the halogen which usually comes with a scroll switch which will adjust this headlamp according to passengers and luggage weight. A great invention to help drivers of all vehicles from blinding other road users! There is little to no knowledge about this feature which could prevent accidents and save lives. The Minister of Transport confirmed this to us directly.

Because instances of blinding has become so common we have a Parliamentary Petition and we would appreciate if you feel the current light act of 20 years is out of date with this new bi-xenon technology add your vote online.

If you have any thoughts on this issue please email me:- ken@blindedbixenon.co.uk

This below is our petition on the Number 10 Downing Street website:-

Your petition has been approved by the Number 10 web team, and is now available on the Number 10 website at the following address:-http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/blindedbixenon/
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to revise the RVLR 1989 Regulation about dazzling of other drivers. Lights must not be set to dazzle other drivers as stated in Schedule 4, Part1, Section 4 of the RVLR 1989.

This Act is clearly, in our opinion, out of date, so please check our website for updates and register your vote on the e-Petition, so we will all be working to make the roads safer for everyone.

40% of all accidents happen in the hours of darkness.

Any other information contact website Administrator:- admin@blindedbixenon.co.uk

500 Votes will allow me to ask the right questions. If you sign up to my E Petition Number 10 will email you to inform that I have been successful MANY THANKS, KEN.
____________________________________________________________________
Night Driving Issue In the December edition of Driving, there was an informative article on the pressures of night driving. This was written by our own Howard Redwood in association with Ken Perham, a London taxi driver, who has spent the last 37 years operating solely on night duty.
Ken has been campaigning tirelessly about the intensity and design of the Bi-xenon lighting system on modern cars. This system is standard on the models which it is fitted to, and produces a system which is up to 60% more intense than the standard halogen lamps.
The manufacturers use this information in their sales literature as a ‘Unique Selling Point’ (USP) to persuade a prospective buyer, that a driver of these vehicles will be able to see more whilst night driving. The problem with the system is that it ‘floats’ and therefore does not have a scroll switch to adjust the height of the lights according to the load being carried in the vehicle, thus causing severe dazzle to oncoming drivers.
Ken has been hearing some alarming reports from passengers he has conveyed across London, that tell stories of drivers, who own a vehicle with bi-xenon’s, who have been taking their vehicle back to the dealership to report that the owner felt that the bi-xenon’s were incorrectly set, due to the amount of on-coming vehicles flashing them for high lights or a mistaken main beam! The dealerships have refused to alter the lights, and have admitted that they have no guidelines for this system and because the lights have been factory set then they must be legal!!
Recent statistics show that 40% of all Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) between October and March (G.M.T) take place between the hours of darkness. Although the statistics do not prove how many of these collisions are due to dazzle, it is recognised to have played a part in a significant number of them.
The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations (RVLR) 1989 clearly state in Schedule 4, Part 1, Section 4, ‘Lights must not be set to dazzle other drivers’
This also brings into question the use of the ‘scroll switch’ for other vehicles, with alternative lighting systems. Ken has had numerous remarks made to him by several high mileage truck and car drivers, who commented, that they had not been inducted to the use of a scroll switch to set lights according to loads carried. Perhaps this question should be added to the ‘show me – tell me’.
Ken has now finally got the attention of his two local MPs and has been asked to petition number 10. We are all part of the grand scheme of road safety. Perhaps you could see your way to Ken’s website:
www.blindedbixenon.co.uk or log on to http://petitions.number10.gov/blindedbixenon and add your name or organisation to the petition to get the RVLR 1989 updated.
Let’s try and make it safer for everyone

Sandra www.snsdrivertraining.co.uk

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/blindedbixenon/

2009-08-28T15:04:00.000-07:00

Thank you for setting this petition up - I have just signed it. I'm so glad someone is making a stand on these dreadful and, in my opinion, dangerous headlights. I am absolutely dreading the winter when I have to drive to work and home again in the dark. All because of these halogen lamps. There really is no need to have them so bright that they blind oncoming drivers. The old style head lamps were just as good. All we need is enough light to see the road ahead, not to make flightpath landing lights for oncoming aircraft! I wonder for whose benefit the head lamps were intended for in the first place - it certainly couldn't have been for the ordinary driver. Why would we want to be dazzled and blinded every time we take to the road? I live near some very dark country roads so the Bixenon lights are even more pronounced. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the reason behind many accidents - I'm certain they will cause a lot more.

And as for lorries using them, well that's just a joke! They are already lit up like Xmas trees at night. You can see them coming from miles away. Only trouble is, they don't seem to see us until after they've gone in to the back of us!

I do hope you get your petition heard and agreed with as I really would like to be able to drive at night without being constantly blinded. If the Govt. don't listen, perhaps they will pay someone to design special night glasses for us all to use?

Thanks again and good luck.

The Porsche Cayenne

2009-07-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Another interesting story was in the local citizens help shop and on being seen had a good chat about my lights issue. Lucky for me the lady interviewing me had a problem with her Porsche Cayenne which i may add was only 3 years old with very little mileage. The Cayenne was due for it

Her vehicle failed it's test on the headlights being too bright and nothing else. The garage that carried out the MOT did not have all the appropriate tools and equipment etc to adjust the headlamps so told my lady to pop the vehicle into her Porsche dealer and get the problem fixed. The dealer asked her why she wanted her headlamps adjusted and she said it was for an MOT. The dealer said they had checked her lights and found them to be correct completed the MOT and sent her back out on the road.

This lady after questioning me had told me that when ever she drove at night other drivers flashed their lights in a retaliatory fashion so was not surprised when her local garage failed her lights on the MOT.

This next bit beggars belief as the main agent for Porsche had said her lights were OK and gave her an MOT and she new that her lights were a problem to others she took her main agents MOT and is still driving around blinding others unnecessarily.

What intrigues me is how can one garage fail and one pass. Is the test good enough or is it the MOT tester at fault.

I will leave you all to ponder on that one.

The Smart Car

2009-07-13T19:03:00.000-07:00
Hi readers another wrong to be righted. I have been driving at night for too many years and over the last ten many vehicles have new lights that blind you unnecessarily to the point they are dangerous. Even though the Smart Car is not as popular as many other models the lights on them kept blinding me more than what could be normal or should be. I tried to question the drivers of the ones with dodgy lights but the drivers were afraid to chat with me.

Then a stroke of luck I went to see my optician who gave me an eye check which was A OK for my tender years and happened to mention the problems I have been coming across at night and about the Smart Car in particular. To my surprise he had the answer as he had purchased a brand new one for his wife and she had been complaining when she took one of her friends out that other drivers flashed their lights in frustration at her as she was blinding them.

My optician investigated and gave me my answer as to why i had the problem. Even though the car is so small it has a feature just under the steering column that will lower the beam height if heavy people get into it. I am not saying my opticians wife and friend are fat but it was the reason. I have asked many drivers of these cars and not found one person driving one that new of the switches existence. What a waste of a good invention.

The Range Rover

2009-07-13T18:40:00.000-07:00
Hi there bloggers this info needs to be out there. A friend purchased a brand new RR Sport HSE model and after purchasing was asked by the salesman how much night driving he did or was likely to do. As a retired gent with allmost copious amounts of money the reply was drive most often at night and weekends. Of which the salesman replied the new model you have purchased has the new bi-xenon lights as standard. Have you driven with them yet to which he replied no not yet. The salesman then said the new lights on your vehicle are 30% brighter than the old halogen headlights and when you drive at night you may find other drivers flashing you (with their headlights). This is where it gets interesting.

Do not worry as your vehicle passes all Government Tests.

I would love to find out your views on this as my friend was told he will be blinding other drivers but he is allowed to as he is doing it legally.

This surely needs investigating further.

Lightmare

2009-04-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

Every night for the professional drivers who put in a full shift they will be blinded many times by badly set Bi xenon headlamps as the RVLR1989 is most definitely inadequate.

Also the Minister of Transport for the whole country has informed me most drivers do not use their headlamp scroll switch when driving with the Halogen headlamps.

Please air your views here or go to blindedbixenon.co.uk.

Helping night drivers eyes

2009-04-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

Every night for those professional drivers who put in a full shift in the hours of darkness their eyes will be punished unnecessarily. Bi xenon headlamp glare which pierces the eyes and disables you is now only to common. The RVLR 1989 is well out of date and inadequate needs to be upgraded.

Also glare from Halogen headlamps is equally as bad and as i am informed by the minister for Transport most drivers do not use their headlamp scroll switch or even know what it is.

That list of drivers includes the Police, truckers etc.
Lets get noisy and make Government and the Manufacturers listen an act to make our roads safer at night

Helping night drivers eyes

2009-04-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

Every night in the hours of darkness those of us who have to do a full shift will be blinded many times so lets get our voice heard by the Minister for Transport and Police etc. Bi xenon's are the worst, but badly adjusted Halogen lights can also be a nuisance. A humongous number of drivers do not use or know how to adjust their headlights including the Police,Bus drivers,Truckers,Motorcyclists etc