Do Foggy Headlights Increase the Chances of You Engaging in an Accident?
There are many drivers who struggle to see in the dark which makes driving at night much riskier to do. But apart from the fact that some drivers simply struggle to see, apparently there is another contributing factor that is making it more difficult for motorists to operate when it is dark outside as well—cloudy headlights. According to NBC San Diego, discolored or cloudy headlights are a problem for many Californians and as well as for others across the U.S. Greg Bannon, who is AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations said that if you “walk through any parking lot, it is evident that deteriorated headlights are a problem for most vehicle owners.”
Bannon went on the explain that even new headlights don’t produce enough lighting so anything that can interfere with their performance such as them being clouded or yellowed can really affect “performance” which then becomes “a real safety issue.” And according to Doug Shupe, who is the spokesman for the Auto Club of Southern California, Southern California is home to “harsh” sunlight which directly impacts the headlights of a vehicle. Shupe stated that “over time the sunlight can reduce visibility by 80 percent” which only makes driving that much more difficult and increases your chances of engaging in an accident.
So, what can you do to ensure your headlights are effective and help you see better at night? The AAA shared a few suggestions which we have provided for you below.
- Check your headlights regularly for signs of deterioration. Because your headlights “may produce only 22 percent of light as compared to new lenses,” it is important you take the time to inspect them and determine when it is time to take action if you find they are cloudy or they are yellowed. Whether that action entails you replacing them or restoring them in an effort to get them back to the original condition they were in when you first acquired the vehicle, that is a decision you will have to make. Should you decide to restore them, this option “offers less of an improvement in light output than replacement.”
- Replacing your headlights. If you find that getting your headlights cleaned doesn’t quite do the trick, it may be time to replace them, which can be pricey but is “the most effective method to restore light output back to 100 percent,” says the AAA. If you don’t want to pay for brand new parts, you can request that after-market parts be used which are known to “restore light output to between 83 and 90 percent of the original unit, with some limitations in light intensity and increased possibility of glare.” Now, depending on which option you decide to go with, you are looking at spending anywhere between $130 to $430.
It is important for drivers in San Diego to not only inspect their vehicles to make sure they are in good working condition, but to also practice safe driving in an effort to reduce the chances of an accident occurring. Now, if you are the victim of a car accident that occurred in San Diego, CA and are seeking guidance on how you can recover compensation for property damage and injuries, contact Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates as soon as possible. Our office is qualified to provide car crash victims along with those who have been involved in any other type of accident with the legal advice and assistance they are seeking so that they know what their accident is worth and how they can go about collecting this amount.
To schedule a consultation with one of our helpful car accident lawyers now, simply call us at 619-233-8021.
Visit or call Jeffrey E. Estes & Associates today at:
501 West Broadway, Suite 1650
San Diego, CA 92101
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