Ban HID headlamps in passenger cars

High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps are quickly becoming the standard form of forward lighting on many new passenger vehicles. Automotive manufacturers advertise them as being a superior lighting technology, outputting more light and featuring a longer bulb lifespan. They can easily be recognized by their cool color temperature, typically appearing blue or purple.

Vehicle manufacturers advertise that HID headlamps produce more lumens of light than conventional halogen headlamps and thus improve night time driving visibility.

Drawbacks to the driver of the HID equipped vehicle:

>Unfortunately due to the design of the headlamp projector optics, this increased output puts more light on the road closer to the driver. This increase in foreground light can actually harm longer-range visibility.

>The increase in light output also increases back-scatter of light from snow and fog, making night time driving in inclement weather dangerous.

>Because the color temperature of HID light is generally cooler than that produced by halogen bulbs, the human eye struggles more to perceive contrast. This can make it harder to see obstacles when driving on snow-covered roads.

Drawbacks to other drivers:

>The light output from HID headlamps is greater than what is produced by halogen headlamps. Increased oncoming light, especially at night on poorly lit roads makes it very difficult for drivers to see the darker portions of the road. Try pointing a lit flashlight at your face and walk around a dark house.

>HID headlamps typically feature HID high beams. These lights are incredibly bright and produce great amounts of glare. This can be very dangerous should the oncoming driver fail to dim the headlights for an approaching vehicle.

>HID headlamps tend to exhibit significant color and intensity shifting when the car passes over bumps and uneven road surfaces. This is not only annoying when being followed by a car equipped with HID headlamps, but since the light appears to flicker, it can be very uncomfortable for oncoming drivers to look at.

>Because HID headlamps are so bright, an HID equipped car that is approaching over the crest of a hill will cause the full light output to temporarily be directed at oncoming drivers. This can momentarily blind an oncoming driver and increase the time it takes for his or her eyes to readjust to the night driving conditions.

Other problems:
>Because HID headlamps are considered to look "cool" by the younger driving population, HID retrofits into older vehicles, while illegal, are common. Poor HID installations into a vehicle not originally designed for this type of lighting can be dangerous to other road users and the vehicle in which they are installed.

Conclusion:
We feel that the drawbacks that affect night-time safety far outweigh any benefits provided by HID headlamps and ask that Transport Canada ban the use of HID headlamps by new vehicle manufacturers.