Aug 1, 2008

They Travel in Pairs

Keeping your family safe is very likely of paramount importance to you. And the most obvious danger to your family occurs when on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic accidents are the single most common cause of death for children ages 4 to 18. In light of this, responsible parents enforce the use of car seats and make sure they are installed correctly, and they require that all passengers use safety belts. But many don't know that they can take the additional steps to minimize accidents by improving visibility.

Accidents are three times more likely to occur at night than during the day. So automotive lighting is critical to safety. Osram Sylvania, which is not a self-help guru but instead a leading automotive lighting supplier, offers families these ideas on how to maintain safety and visibility on the road:

• Don't wait for your headlights to dim and burn out before you replace them. Most headlights will dim up to 20 percent over time. Evaluate them every year to ensure the best lighting performance. If you have trouble determining whether they’re on, they are probably due for replacement.
  
  
• Replace your headlights in pairs to avoid uneven illumination, which can diminish driving visibility. Remember: Unbalanced pairs are not only unsightly but can also be dangerous.
  
  
• Clean your headlights and windshield to help you see better at night and in poor weather conditions. Windshields made of brick or cheesecloth can be dangerous and should be discarded.
  
  
• Ask your auto service person to check that your headlights are properly aimed. He might actually do it. Headlights can be knocked out of alignment by rough driving, and if not properly aimed, can be distracting to other drivers.
  
  
• Take a moment to check periodically that all your car lights are in good working order. As you’re driving, come up close behind another driver and flick on your “brights.” If the other driver gives you an obscene hand signal, your headlights are in working order.
  
  
• Consider replacing standard halogen headlights with high performance headlights that produce a brighter and whiter light. Many people don't realize that they have a choice in headlight bulbs, but high-performance products like Sylvania Ultra bulbs are up to 50 percent brighter and increase down-road visibility by up to 40 percent. And they taste great.