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From: edward@ukecc.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.flame
Subject: Re: Halogen headlights -- ARGH!
Message-ID: <175@ukecc.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 25-Aug-85 15:24:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: ukecc.175
Posted: Sun Aug 25 15:24:27 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 27-Aug-85 00:46:45 EDT
References: <1343@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of Ky. Engineering Computing Center
Lines: 54
Xref: watmath net.auto:7845 net.flame:11685
Summary: QI/Halogen headlamps are OK

In article <1343@umcp-cs.UUCP>, flink@umcp-cs.UUCP (Paul V. Torek) writes:
> Halogen headlights are obnoxious!  They serve virtually no useful
> purpose, except for sadists who enjoy blinding other drivers!  Well,
> I'm not gonna take it any more!
> 
	QI (Quartz Iodine)/Halogen headlamp offer increased candlepower
which results in a better illuminated driving surface. This increase
in light output brings with it certain problems however. Engineers must
design the fluting of the lens with increased care to be sure that all
that light goes where it is supposed to. This also induces a responsibility
in the owner to have his/her headlamps aimed properly.
	I resent your accusation that drivers use the lamps in a sadistic
manner. In my 24 years, I have known many drivers (through S.C.C.A and
P.C.A.) who took driving as a serious responsibility and who had equipped
their cars with devices to make driving safer. One of the most frequent
additions were QI headlamps for better night visibility.

> I propose the following solution to the problem:  whenever you see
> obnoxiously bright lights staring you in the face, turn on your high
> beams.  Sure it's obnoxious, but they're doing it to you; and if enough
> people join in this crusade, halogens will disappear (except for drivers
> who are sadistic AND masochistic).  Of course, this should only be done
> when the Enemy is alone; it wouldn't quite be fair to blind 
> noncombatants.  (Far away noncombatants, however, will only be affected
> mildly; whereas the crusade to ban halogens will spare them untold
> future suffering imposed by the Enemy.)
> 
	This is exactly the kind of 'two can play at that game' childish
attitude that I would expect from an ignorant asshole like yourself.
In a situation where you are blinded by the opposing car's lights,
the best alternative is to simply look down to the right side of
the road. This will alleviate you from looking into the lights while
still maintaining you perspective of where the road is. If you feel
you must do something else, a QUICK flash of your highbeams will
usually alert the other driver of his oversight. Above all, DO NOT
make the situation worse by blinding him also. Two cars approaching
each other when neither driver can see is a dangerous situation.

> This guerilla warfare program also applies, of course, to mis-aimed
> headlights, and does not apply to any halogens that might somehow be
> aimed in a non-offensive way (but I doubt that's possible).

	Unfortunately, not much can be done to eliminate ignorance.
When I'm out at night, I'm appaled by the number of cars with mis-
adjusted headlamps. A mis-aimed sealed beam lamp is just as
hazardous as a mis-aimed QI lamp.

Yours for safer driving, (Buckle up!)
-- 
Edward C. Bennett

UUCP: ihnp4!cbosgd!ukma!ukecc!edward

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