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!