ALL vehicles will have to use headlamps when driving after
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
dark from November 17. Regulations laid before Parliament this week by Transport Minister John Gilbert do not specify whether dipped or main beam must be used ; this is left to the driver to decide.
The Minister's action has met with criticism from a number of bodies who feel that the use of dipped headlights in well-lit City streets will 'lead to dazzle and an increased accident risk. A DoE statement says, however, that the Minister considers "that the benefits to all road users by moving vehicles having their headlamps on at night in lit streets will outweigh any disadvantages."
A spokesman for the Freight Transport Association told CM this week that, while it was not necessarily against the measure in principle, it was "very unhappy" about the rush to make a law. More scientific research into the effects of such a move on accident figures was required before a decision was finally taken.
The FTA is one of the bodies which has officially objected to the proposals. Dr Gilbert has said that of 150 such bodies consulted, a majority of three to one is in favour of the move.