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04th February 2020 | By Ray Tyler
Have you been dazzled by headlamp glare recently? Many people have due to laser powered headlamps which could dazzle even on dipped beam. Car makers are very proud of the searchlight quality of their latest products. They even trumpet their contribution to road safety. But what about the poor driver driving from the opposite direction who is being dazzled. Completely by a tall 4×4 coming the other way? It has become a talking point and is a common problem.
A recent RAC survey showed that 91% of people said that some modern car headlamps are too bright. 70% of people thinking that some such headlights are an accident risk.
The blue tint shows this is a laser powered headlamp. The lasers don’t shine directly onto the road but use mirrors and a phosphorous ‘doped’ lens. This lens makes a white light up to ten times more intense than previous headlamp systems.
Currently there is no MOT failure for headlamps due to headlamp glare. The current headlamp MOT checks are for security and aim and do not take into consideration brightness. Perhaps it is time to take the dazzle effect to oncoming drivers into account.
The modern headlamps cannot be properly checked for aim during an MOT inspection. The equipment MOT garages use to accurately measure the aim of the headlamp beam doesn’t work on the latest high intensity headlamps fitted to modern cars – there’s not even a date for Testing Stations to be required to use such equipment!
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said, “All headlights have to meet specific international standards, which… haven’t been updated since the 1960s”. Here is a classic case of technology outpacing legislation, and potentially threatening road safety.
84% of drivers think that the Government should. “…act to ensure the regulations are updated to remove the possibility of glare being a result of modern technology”.
The development of high technology headlamp systems uses processed high intensity laser light to illuminate the road ahead. These headlamps were developed in the interests of road safety so drivers can see further ahead. But they are having a detrimental effect on safety by dazzling oncoming drivers.
A vehicle’s on-board digital camera detects oncoming cars. The computer controlled system dynamically shades those vehicles from the high intensity laser light. This sloves one problem. But what happens when those cars become three years old and subject to an MOT inspection?
MOT Testing Stations do not currently have the equipment to ensure the software doesn’t have a glitch. Testing stations do not have the equipment to check that these headlamp aims are correct.
Concerned drivers should lobby government. Steps should be taken to properly check these headlamps during an MOT examination ensuring they are safe. Contact your MP or write directly to the current Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps.
For the source of this News Feed and many others go to:- www.motester.co.uk
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