Extra-bright headlights set complaint record
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From: Ann Arbor
Extra-bright headlights set complaint record
LET ALL OTHER DRIVERS GO BLIND. I LOVE MY HID 
Extra-bright headlights set complaint record
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...86076&printer=1
Mon May 6, 8:53 AM ET
James R. Healey USA TODAY
A tidal wave of complaints about high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights has swamped federal safety officials since they asked for public comment on glare Sept. 26.
About 1,800 comments have been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (news - web sites), mostly complaints, mostly from individuals not organizations, and mostly about blinding glare from the blue-white, xenon-ignited, HID lights. That's several times as many as other marquee issues have drawn and is a record for one issue, as far as NHTSA veterans can tell.
''It's a huge number. It definitely resonated with people,'' NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson says.
''Wow. That's a healthy number,'' says Mike Brownlee, former head of NHTSA's enforcement arm, now head of consultant Safety Service. ''You certainly can't ignore 1,800 comments.''
Previous issues that drew big numbers of comments were a proposal for speed governors on vehicles in the 1970s, which drew about 600, and air-bag cutoff switches, which drew 707, according to NHTSA.
HID lights were introduced on high-end cars in the USA in the mid-'90s and quickly migrated to less-expensive models. They provide more illumination than conventional halogen headlights do and more design options.
Among the comments:
Kenneth Tidwell of Knoxville, Tenn., wrote that he is ''bothered by drivers'' with HID lights, even though he is one of them. He says, though, that HID lights ''are a very significant improvement'' and that strict enforcement of headlight-aiming laws would cut glare.
Also in favor is Peter Monahan of Howell, N.J., who said NHTSA should do nothing to limit ''the public's ability to seek out and enhance lighting options.''
But many were like these:
''I have been temporarily blinded many times, and as a result I was unable to see the road ahead of me,'' wrote Jennifer DiSabatino of Holliston, Mass.
''The high-intensity lamps should be banned from the roads,'' said Charles Draper of Seattle. They ''allow the owner of the (HID-lighted) vehicle to see better,'' but he says they cause undue risk by blinding other drivers.
Cynthia Kruse of Merritt Island, Fla., summed up many anti-HID light comments: ''The HID headlights should be banned. They are entirely too bright.''
Studies by the University of Michigan and recent work by the Society of Automotive Engineers show that the lights produce uncomfortable glare for oncoming motorists. But the studies found no evidence that the glare is disabling.
NHTSA could use the comments to overhaul headlight regulations, going as far as banning the lights on future vehicles. It also could take any number of steps short of a ban to tone down the icy illumination. Or it could do nothing.
Extra-bright headlights set complaint record
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...86076&printer=1
Mon May 6, 8:53 AM ET
James R. Healey USA TODAY
A tidal wave of complaints about high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights has swamped federal safety officials since they asked for public comment on glare Sept. 26.
About 1,800 comments have been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (news - web sites), mostly complaints, mostly from individuals not organizations, and mostly about blinding glare from the blue-white, xenon-ignited, HID lights. That's several times as many as other marquee issues have drawn and is a record for one issue, as far as NHTSA veterans can tell.
''It's a huge number. It definitely resonated with people,'' NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson says.
''Wow. That's a healthy number,'' says Mike Brownlee, former head of NHTSA's enforcement arm, now head of consultant Safety Service. ''You certainly can't ignore 1,800 comments.''
Previous issues that drew big numbers of comments were a proposal for speed governors on vehicles in the 1970s, which drew about 600, and air-bag cutoff switches, which drew 707, according to NHTSA.
HID lights were introduced on high-end cars in the USA in the mid-'90s and quickly migrated to less-expensive models. They provide more illumination than conventional halogen headlights do and more design options.
Among the comments:
Kenneth Tidwell of Knoxville, Tenn., wrote that he is ''bothered by drivers'' with HID lights, even though he is one of them. He says, though, that HID lights ''are a very significant improvement'' and that strict enforcement of headlight-aiming laws would cut glare.
Also in favor is Peter Monahan of Howell, N.J., who said NHTSA should do nothing to limit ''the public's ability to seek out and enhance lighting options.''
But many were like these:
''I have been temporarily blinded many times, and as a result I was unable to see the road ahead of me,'' wrote Jennifer DiSabatino of Holliston, Mass.
''The high-intensity lamps should be banned from the roads,'' said Charles Draper of Seattle. They ''allow the owner of the (HID-lighted) vehicle to see better,'' but he says they cause undue risk by blinding other drivers.
Cynthia Kruse of Merritt Island, Fla., summed up many anti-HID light comments: ''The HID headlights should be banned. They are entirely too bright.''
Studies by the University of Michigan and recent work by the Society of Automotive Engineers show that the lights produce uncomfortable glare for oncoming motorists. But the studies found no evidence that the glare is disabling.
NHTSA could use the comments to overhaul headlight regulations, going as far as banning the lights on future vehicles. It also could take any number of steps short of a ban to tone down the icy illumination. Or it could do nothing.
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From: Lyndhurst
The NHTSA should ask the complainers how may accidents were caused by the HID headlights. I'm willing to bet none, nada, zero... People in this country don't like the change from the old sealed beam headlights. Heck, I remember people complaining when they allowed halogen headlights. People just have to get used to them.
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From: Albuquerque NM
Hmmmmm..... I wonder if this increase in complaints might be due to more drivers on the road (compared to the 70's) and not an issue with the lights themselves. I'm not sure of the change in the number of vehicles on the road over the years but I suspect there is a direct correlation between that increase and the increase in complaints. Any thoughts on this?
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From: Bend
Sure HID's are bright but I have passed many oncoming vehicles with them and I only get blinded when I am stare at them trying to figure out what type of car it is. If I would have been focusing on the road like I should have been there would have been no problem. But this is the US and everybody blames the other person since it can't be their fault they looked directly into the lights. I love HID's and I will make sure my next car has them.
I get hated on both sides...have a small car with HID's and a big SUV. I just wanted to make sure made everyone mad
I get hated on both sides...have a small car with HID's and a big SUV. I just wanted to make sure made everyone mad
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From: Las Vegas
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Britishtexan
[B]Hmmmmm..... I wonder if this increase in complaints might be due to more drivers on the road (compared to the 70's) and not an issue with the lights themselves. I'm not sure of the change in the
[B]Hmmmmm..... I wonder if this increase in complaints might be due to more drivers on the road (compared to the 70's) and not an issue with the lights themselves. I'm not sure of the change in the
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From: Atlanta
I think one of the reasons HIDs are perceived as being too bright is the deferent look. People just naturally stare more at HIDs because they stand out from common Halogen headlights. This causes them to belive that HIDs have a higher blinding factor.
