Letter: Reminder over vehicle lights

There is no excuse as many modern vehicles have a bulb failure warning system, although the professional driver will always ensure lights are working before they drive.

I wonder if the recession is having a greater impact than we think, and drivers cannot afford the few pence for a new bulb, or is it that they have no time to buy and fit one?

But the problem has expanded. With the recent weather, poor visibility has been an issue, and I have wondered if those that drive without any lights in reduced visibility ever spare a thought about why everyone else is using side lights or, at best, headlights?

Anyone who has travelled abroad, will know we are way behind on road safety.

In Canada it is mandatory for vehicles to have headlights on when moving, and of course Sweden was there before us with cars automatically having sidelights.

But a new problem as I see it now, is that new vehicles have much brighter headlights, and my impression is that in some cases they are too bright, and affect the vision for oncoming drivers.

My conclusion from all this is that:

1. There are a lot of people who are oblivious to their responsibility as a motorist, and;

2. Whilst we may have a raft of legislation governing ownership and use of motor vehicles, there is an increasing lack of enforcement.

The police, with continuing budget reductions, are interested in a motoring offence if they can add to a list of other crimes.

So in effect, year-on-year the problems increase, with the number of new drivers taking to the roads, and the turn of the year seeming to have a psychological effect on the rest and the grey matter becomes even more strained.

Chris Brown

Westbury