HID dazzle...

[WelshWoody83]

Not sure if this is the right section but here goes, was just reading this and thought Id link it here....

Headlight fight hots up in the war on the bobby dazzlers - Autoblog UK

 

[Shane.]

IMO it's just another group getting all flustered about something and blowing it out of proportion, it's the daily mail generation soon it will be "DRL's cause cancer" in my opinion it's the same as getting the sun shining off your mirror into your eyes, they gunna try and go after that too?

 

[nelson19uk]

for donald ducks sake. If its not one thing its another with this lot. THere is a group for ****** everything.

Why don't these duckers start a petition or group against potholes or something ****** useful for a change.

Or a "where is my road tax going cus it isn't paying for my road to get fixed" group.

 

[jungleman]

i think it has a certain amount of truth in it, aftermarket HIDs can dazzle as they dont have the correct autoleveling parts fitted, and these are a fail on an MOT if spotted anyway, correctly fitted OEM stuff is fine

 

[jungleman]

Or a "where is my road tax going cus it isn't paying for my road to get fixed" group.

 

[nelson19uk]

i think it has a certain amount of truth in it, aftermarket HIDs can dazzle as they dont have the correct autoleveling parts fitted, and these are a fail on an MOT if spotted anyway, correctly fitted OEM stuff is fine

Right enough with that. But I think they mean all HID's.

The aftermarket ones are actually illegal if installed on a vehicle built since 2001 if it has not got auto correction and/or headlight washers. (or along those lines anyway)

They are proving to be pretty popular now though

 

[jungleman]

yea i realise they are talking about all HIDs but its the illegal ones that are causing the problems due to the lack of auto levelling and chances are bodge fit at home

the problem is they are a very simple mod to do (unless you have an audi... bye bye wiper motor haha) MOT centres just need to crack down on illegally fitted kits, because i agree, if not set right are ****** nasty and bright!

 

[Khufu]

As long as the beam is correctly aimed & the beam pattern is correct shape there is nothing a test centre can do at the moment....

 

[nelson19uk]

As long as the beam is correctly aimed & the beam pattern is correct shape there is nothing a test centre can do at the moment....

THere is........ It is stated in the VOSA guideline that if it is newer than 2001 and has hid without headlight washers they are a fail. THe headlight washer are their to clear the much which can cause like refraction or shadowing on the lense. My mate works for a vosa test centre and has all the books. His opinion is that if the MOT testers were to clamp down and actually read all the regs these things wouldnt be a problem

 

[BigBird]

Interesting. The RAC Foundation guy reports that being dazzled by headlights was given as a contributory factor in accidents. I'd love to know how many of these were just poorly adjusted halogen beams, coz his statement doesn't distinguish between xenons and halogens.

To me it's all about correct positioning & alignment of the headlamp units, not their type. I've been dazzled by both types recently but only when they've been out of alignment.

 

[Khufu]

THere is........ It is stated in the VOSA guideline that if it is newer than 2001 and has hid without headlight washers they are a fail. THe headlight washer are their to clear the much which can cause like refraction or shadowing on the lense. My mate works for a vosa test centre and has all the books. His opinion is that if the MOT testers were to clamp down and actually read all the regs these things wouldnt be a problem

Not in our Testers manual, just double checked LOL. Are you sure he doesnt mean the IVA test? VOSA are planning to test them at some point along with towbar electics & few other changes.

 

[paddy]

The fact is that as you get older your eyes need longer to adjust to bright lights. These super bright lights might be ok when adjusted properly but on an uneven road or the brow of a hill they do leave older drivers blinded in areas of total darkness ie areas without street lights etc. I find when tanking along round the rural lanes of Norfolk a set of HID's coming at you on an undulating road means they constantly flash at you and its often a case of aim to just miss them and where you think you last saw the hedge ! Personally i don't see the need for them myself. Its a fad like LED number plate lights and blue side lights. An ambiant general light which your eyes can adapt to is far easier than a blinding white light when driving.