J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Anyone else noticed that probably what seems like about 1 in 5 cars at the moment only has one functioning headlamp ?

I see people driving down pitch black lanes, the same ones night after night with a broken bulb, if mine go, I substitute it for one of the spares I keep as soon as I realise and can reasonably do it.

I see people with front fogs and main beam on, one working each side, both on one side, all possible permutations, is the average punter so clueless they cant change a bulb, when does it get done, at the MOT , what happens when the second one fails as bulbs are apt to do ?

The police should start taking notice and handing out defect notices or fixed penalities or using it as an excuse to pull people over and check the vehicle over, as I reckon if a headlamp is out other stuff is probably wrong, tyres brakes etc so if the public realised it was definite pull they might get their act together.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

The police should be clamping down on it.

And they should dish out points for it, as well as prosecuting drivers driving in the dark on sidelights (without due care), as people can't seem to be able operate a simple switch these days either.

As with cars parked on the wrong side of the road with dipped beams on, dazzling drivers (as they won't be dipped to oncoming traffic, due to the lens design which only works if the car is on the left side of the road).


In defense, some cars do have bulbs that are difficult to change (Megane and Beetle are two that spring to mind), but still thats one day; Most garages can sort it in 15-20min and probably do it on the spot, if they are good.

Second problem in defence is aftermarket bulbs appear to be of appalling quality, even the top brands: In a test, Auto-express found Osram, PIAA, Hella, Bosch and Lucas branded bulbs that are inferior to the specifications set out by the "E" marking scheme. That being not bright enough and/or incorrect bulb geometry. Taking that into account one wonders if the lifespan is also below par, and thus contributary to increased number of cars on teh road with defective headlamps.

Third problem is HIDs failing, although rare, a failed bulb or ballast is pricey to replace, still no excuse though.

GC8

Are you serious? Can you imagine the whining here if everyone with a failed bulb received 3 penalty points? People would be outraged; and Id agree with them. How would you feel if you checked your bulbs (as you are supposed to) and set off on a journey at night, only to be stopped and told that your rear light was defective? Hardly fair, is it?

The traffic police should stop the offenders and give them a producer, if the driver isnt able to rectify the fault there and then.

GC8

Btw: one fault = producer, two different faults equals points. So, if you have a failed bulb youll get a producer (or maybe even two bulbs) but a light and a tyre means that you have to expect points for the tyres.

Spec'c'57

iTrader: (1)

Im sure they will once thay work out a camera to do the work for them.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Nice money earner though. Could even convert speed cameras to take pictures of cars with defective lights.

Maybe then people will carry spare bulbs with them like they have to in other EU countries (along with reflective triangles and vests).

If the bulb can't be replaced at roadside (such as HIDs) or the defect is not the bulb or fuse (i.e like a relay fault), fine give them a producer and a defcet notice. But a failed bulb and no spare, nope, give the feejit a fine. Taxing them is the only way to get them to learn.

And whilst I'm in draconian mode, an instant ban for any driver who has Korean, Taiwanese, Chinese or Philippine manufactured tyres fitted to their car. And a caution for using Italian brands during winter (except for M+S and winter rated tyres) .

BOB.T

It is strange though isn't it, this surge in defective lights since the discovery that only speed can kill...

I saw a car yesterday, one front fog and one side light

corradoboy

Sidelights are the minimum requirement where there is streetlighting

Agree that the roads are full of morons who have no idea which lights to use when though, and that massive draconian penalties should be levied on them for their abject stupidity.

GC8

...and the road is restricted to 30mph... The number of ignorant people who will flash their lights or shout at you as you legally drive using sidelights is unbelievable. You could mistakenly think that youre the only person who had read the Highway Code.

corradoboy

Not necessarily 30mph

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Headlights, I hope nobody does use them on a lit road! We would all be blinded!

Dipped-beam, on the other hand....

Dim dip and dipped headlights are not side lamps; last car I had with dim-dips was a Ford Escort (MK 5 ), very few modern cars have them now. Therfore dipped headlamps are the only option.

c_maguire

Whilst on the subject of lights, has anyone noticed how many vehicles (newish ones also) have poorly aligned headlights? I'm not talking about cars with fat geezers or a palette of LBC ordinaries in the back where the driver has forgotten to tweak his nifty little headlamp height switch to compensate. I mean cars where one headlamp is higher than the other, and is a nuisance to oncoming vehicles. Headlamp alignment is part of the MOT, so it is a mystery to me.
Kevin