The Automobile Association are concerned that up to 500,000 vehicles will be entering the winter period with headlight defects which they have compared to ‘one eyed monsters’.
The increased requirement for driving in the dark during the cold months shows up light problems which often go un-noticed in the summer when they are less frequently used. It is feared that accidents are caused when the ‘one eyed monsters’ appear to other road users to be motorcycles and drivers struggle to judge gaps and plan ahead.
It is thought that during 2013, problems with car lights contributed towards 168 accidents in which 33 people were seriously injured and 4 were killed. Research by the AA has shown that nearly half of those questioned had noticed “many more cars with only one working headlight” once the clocks go back in preparation for winter.
A representative of the AA said: “During the lighter summer months a lot of people don’t notice or even ignore problems with their car’s lights. When the nights suddenly get darker, that’s when more accidents happen.“
Checking your lights only takes seconds but could potentially save your life. Either you can get someone to help or reverse up to a wall to check the rears – not forgetting fog, reversing lights and indicators.
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