The Importance of Headlight Safety
Maintaining your vehicle’s headlights is crucial to your safety on
the road, as well as the safety of others, particularly in inclement weather
or during the evening. This encompasses more than simply ensuring your
headlights are functional, but also that they are safe and do not pose
a danger to fellow drivers. Some of the new high-intensity discharge (HID)
systems are too bright and may potentially blind others on the road with
their powerful headlight glare. Drivers must also check the aim of their
headlights, avoiding too low or too high a hot spot.
According to AAA, about 70% of nighttime accidents occur due to poor visibility. If your vehicle’s headlights are properly aligned, visibility should be at least 100 yards. If your headlight hot spot is 6 inches too low, the Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation says that maximum visibility will only be 40 yards, which is not enough distance to allow you to stop if there is a problem on the road. However, if your hot spots are 6 inches higher, this could blind other drivers.
With the growing appeal of modifications, it is important for drivers to understand that they should have any additional driving lights or fog lights properly aimed. It is recommended that headlights are aimed at least once a year, since their adjustments may change over time due to any number of factors, such as loose springs, or hauling heavy items in your trunk, which can cause the back to sag and the front to point up.
Your headlights allow others to see you and increase your visibility in environments that are less than ideal, so it is vital for you to properly maintain them. Get your headlights checked to make sure they are truly helping and not presenting any unnecessary risks.
At The Pittman Firm, P.A., Wes Pittman has over three decades of legal experience in handling injury and auto accident cases. With his incredible knowledge of vehicle dynamics, crash reconstruction techniques, applicable laws, negotiation, and trial skills, you can be sure that your case is in capable hands with him. He has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for his clients.
Call (850) 724-4792 for a consultation.