Wilful conversion of headlamps is of rising road safety concern -CHOICE # 373

The Consumer Council has expressed concern at motorists converting their vehicles with illegal high-power white headlamps.

White headlamps that do not meet legal standards could lead to road accidents endangering the lives of other motorists - and their own, too.

This is because of the strong glaring and dazzle problems caused by these headlamps to motorists in vehicles especially traveling in opposite direction.

At least one accident was reported in July this year in which the driver of a vehicle was suspected to lose control due to the strong headlamps of a head-on car, hitting and injuring a pedestrian.

More and more cars are installed with illegal white headlamps which is of rising safety concern to motorists, passengers and other road users.

In the first 9 months of this year, according to the Transport Department, a total of 152 private cars failed the yearly vehicle examination due to white headlamp problems. In the month of September alone, there were 57 cars failing the exam.

In addition, during the same period, the Transport Department received 136 motorist complaints on the glaring and dazzle problems caused by the headlamps of other vehicles.

Basically there are two types of white headlamps, namely the HID (High Intensity Gas Discharge) headlamps, and the high-power filament bulb.

Both types need to be approved by the Transport Department for any such conversion, under the Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations.

Motorists should be aware that the regulations stipulate that the colour of the light beams emitted by headlamps shall be white or yellow.

Further, the dipped beams should be adjusted to the extent that they are at all times incapable of dazzling any person who is 8 meters or more in the front and his eye-level is 1 meter or more above the ground.

Motorists are warned that vehicles that do not meet the legal requirements or that have been modified as such without the approval of the Transport Department may have their licenses suspended. The driver and the owner may also be prosecuted and are liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment of 6 months.