Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department I recently received a question regarding headlights on vehicles. The person observed the headlights on some vehicles, approaching from the opposite direction, appearing very bright and almost bluish in color. I was asked if I could provide some information on this and to remind people of the rules surrounding the proper use of high beam headlights. There are different style headlights on the market today. They are called High Intensity Discharge or HID headlights. They are installed in many newer vehicles. They are brighter than typical halogen headlamps, which are currently used on most vehicles. In addition to the increased brightness, they claim to use less energy and last up to three times longer than halogen bulbs. They utilize a combination of mercury and sodium vapor as their base material. The resulting reaction of these items make the lights appear blue. They are very bright in the high beam mode. The dimming of headlights is contained in the Massachusetts Registry Rules and Regulations under 540 CMR 22.05. This section provides several guidelines for the use headlights on motor vehicles. It authorizes operators to use additional light or “high beams” when there is insufficient lighting on the roadway to “make clearly visible all substantial objects within 350 feet.” It calls for operators to “regulate” (or dim) headlights when a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction is within 500 feet. The regular, or “low beam” lights, must be positioned no greater than 42 inches off the ground at a distance of 75 feet. This is one of the features to be checked during the annual safety inspection of your vehicle. A violation of this section calls for a civil fine. Vehicle headlights that are too bright are very distracting for drivers. This is especially true during rain or inclement weather. High beam lights can be blinding to oncoming traffic or while shining in rear facing mirrors. If you have changed halogen lights to the HID lights on your vehicle, please insure they are installed properly. If they are positioned too high, they can shine additional light into the oncoming traffic, even in regular use mode. |
They should be checked by a licensed professional to insure they are positioned in the proper location. In addition, always pay close attention to your high beam headlights. Night driving can be difficult enough without added distractions. This is especially true during the winter months. It takes several seconds for a person’s eyes to refocus after the passing of high beam lights. A few simple safety steps by drivers can be a key factor in preventing accidents.
COVID-19 cases in our area remain a concern. For those still seeking vaccination information, it can be found at www.dudleyma.gov or by calling 508-949-8036. We encourage everyone to be safe. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. During these challenging times, we, at the Dudley Police Department, greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community. Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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