Statistics
shine a light on an important safety concern —
visibility. More traffic accidents occur at night than
during the day. The University of Michigan Transportation
Research Institute recently released a study showing
that approximately 2,300 pedestrians are killed in the
United States annually because of drivers inability to
see at night. Maintaining your cars headlights
can be an important step in safer nighttime driving.
To
maintain your headlights, be sure they are: Clean — Give them a quick scrub when you wash your windows at the gas station. Clean
headlights can help you see better and can help prevent glare, which can be intensified
by dust and dirt particles on the glass.
Aimed
properly — Headlight aim can often be knocked out of position by driving
off-road or over potholes, which may contribute to unsafe nighttime driving conditions.
Next time you get your oil changed or are at the repair shop, ask the service
person to check, and if necessary, adjust your headlights.
Free
of road chips, condensation and surface scratches — These decrease visibility and contribute to glare
while driving.
Proper
headlight maintenance is critical to safer driving,
especially during nighttime hours, said Dennis
Holt, reliability & regulations manager of SYLVANIA
Automotive Lighting. Most people change their
oil and rotate their tires on a regular basis. We encourage
everyone to get in the habit of routinely maintaining
their headlights.
Aside
from these, replacing headlights before they burn out can be a good idea. When
a headlight burns out, visibility is diminished and the safety of passengers and
pedestrians can be compromised. Proactively changing bulbs and carrying a spare
in your glove compartment are two simple ways to reduce accident risk. Another
way to enhance visibility is to install high performance replacement headlight
bulbs. Where
can you get them? Most dealerships or auto parts stores carry them. SYLVANIA (the
same that provides light bulbs for your home) also offers a product called SilverStar,
a halogen headlight bulb upgrade option that provides up to 20 percent higher
luminance and a higher color temperature than standard headlights. The
whiter, brighter light of SilverStar halogens provide
an affordable, legal way to enhance driver visibility
and create a safer, more enjoyable driving experience.
For
additional information on headlight upgrade options
visit www.sylvania.com
or visit your local dealer or auto parts store. |