Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83 (MC830713); site erix.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!decvax!mcvax!enea!erix!mike
From: mike@erix.UUCP (Mike Williams)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: On another subject than mandatory seatbelt laws
Message-ID: <268@erix.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-Feb-84 06:52:06 EST
Article-I.D.: erix.268
Posted: Fri Feb 17 06:52:06 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Feb-84 04:19:23 EST
References: <3178@utcsrgv.UUCP> <228@erix.UUCP> <1655@hplabsc.UUCP>
Organization: L M Ericsson, Stockholm, Sweden
Lines: 15

> I assume that the dipped headlight laws (and what are dipped headlights?)
> are related to the long dark winters prevalent in the northern
> climes.  Is this true?  If not, why was the law passed?

The dipped headlight law in Sweden means that you have to drive with dipped
headlights (or special more powerful sidelights) all the year round - even
in the long light summer! It was argued that dipped headlights made cars
easier to see in full daylight as well as by night. When overtaking one is
supposed to be able to spot car coming in the opposite direction more easily.

I don't know if this is true or not. In any case it is very difficult
to produce any statistics to support or disprove this view. Anyway it costs
very little - fuel consumption is slightly increased and the headlight bulb
manufactures make a slightly higher profit. BTW we don't use sealed beam
headlights very much here so the cost of replacement bulbs is quite low!