Dear Sir
Been driving in the evening or night and found yourself in distress cause someone coming towards you has a high beam on? Well, it seems there is an increase in the number of accidents caused by night blindness, or improper use of high beams. That may not always be the case. Many vehicle manufacturers use LED lighting, and their source for these vary, mostly coming from Asia Markets. These lights have three levels of brightness and can be perceived as blinding, cutting images as you drive.
We experience a high difficulty driving at night as it is, and the location where we are driving also affects our perception and reaction to light. In a rural setting, you may experience blinding darkness with an eruption of bright light as a vehicle passes you. In an urban setting, there is a great level and array of light to contend with. The direct light we experience varies from vehicle to vehicle. Some are low ton while others are extremely bright. The color of the light rays also vary. There is a lot for your eyes and brain to deal with.
While regulations are instructing the industry on light levels and the angles with which these lights need to be set, it seems the way the industry applies these directives may vary in the same way the vehicles lights vary. All over the place. This creates a safety issue.
A problem that can cause havoc on our local streets. Questions arise such as:
- Are there governmental inspectors that travel to dealerships, mechanics establishments and auto industry factories to verify and apply their standards and if necessary force the issue?
- Is the improper installation of lights in a vehicle illegal and can a victim of an accident caused by this fact sue?
- Do the type of lights and their colour affect those coming upon them?
Our governments often bring about legislation to regulate items like this but do not hire the necessary inspector’s to enforce them.
Doing something half-ass backwards accomplishes nothing, but creates an impression to the electorate that something is being done. The safety of our fellow citizens must always be of prime importance to those who serve us.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
