Reports have shown that driver visibility is one of the most crucial safety concerns on our nation’s roadways. It is a proven fact that nighttime traffic accidents are more prevalent than daytime crashes. According to research conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, approximately 2,300 pedestrians die each year due to drivers’ lack of vision in the dark. Take the first step towards keeping the roads safe at night by preserving your vehicle’s headlights.
Here is some important information regarding headlight maintenance. Make sure they are:
· Clean – Wash them off when you stop to clean your windows at the gas station. Clean headlights will clear your view of the street once dusk hits. They will also cut down on glare caused by dust and dirt particles stuck to the headlight cover.
· Appropriately aimed – The direction of the beam can be knocked out of sync by driving off-road or over imperfections in the surface of the roadway (e.g., potholes). If the headlights are not properly leveled, it is quite feasible that the driver is not getting maximum visibility on the horizon. The next time you take your car in for a tune-up or repair, it would be a good idea to ask the mechanic to examine and adjust your headlights as needed.
· Free of dings, moisture buildup, and scratches – These are all contributors to decreased visibility and glare.
Scheduled headlight maintenance is a fundamental factor of safer nighttime driving. Realistically, it can also impact driving in daytime conditions such as fog or rain. Most people get an oil change or have their brakes checked regularly, so everyone should keep track of their headlights just the same.
Replacing headlights before they fail is also an intelligent choice. If a headlight dies, 50 percent of visibility is lost, and passengers and pedestrians are put into harm’s way. Try to keep a running tally of headlight usage in comparison to the estimated life of the bulb, and change them accordingly. Consider traveling with a spare bulb for emergency use as well.
If you don’t mind spending a little extra cash, there is always the option of having aftermarket high-output bulbs installed in place of the factory headlights. Visit a car dealership or local auto accessories shop to find them. Sylvania, the same company that manufacturers light bulbs for your home, makes a product called SilverStar. This high-performance upgrade offers a halogen lamp that illuminates the roadway to provide as great as 20 percent more visibility. It also consists of a higher color temperature than the average bulb. These brilliant lights give drivers a legal way to significantly improve their perception of the road without putting a dent in their wallets.