The Almagest

Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: OP/ED

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As of the moment you read this, nothing grinds my gears quite like that of those super bright, overwhelming, blinding headlights installed on pretty much every new car I ever come in contact with. Being economically and fuel efficient, I drive a 2007 Honda Fit. It's small, yes, but it's the perfect size for me and my riding companion, my pit bull, Ali. It does, however, pose a significant problem during those late night drives home.

Through no fault of its own, my car's rear view mirrors are parallel to those of every Cadillac Escalade and Toyota truck headlight that pulls up behind me. It's one thing to have the sun in that awkward spot in the sky, where your visor is useless and your hand is the only thing shielding your eyes from permanent retina damage, but it's an entirely different situation when the light is artificial and being reflected from three different mirrors.

I understand that being able to see at night is crucial. Nothing scares me more than driving in the dark, unable to see if I'm about to run over a deer or if a deer is about to run over me. However, if your lights are so intense that when I flash you to turn off your brights and you flash me back to let me know that those are, in fact, not your brights, your headlights have officially done more harm than good. The harm being that after the blinding light passes me and I regain my vision, I'm usually taking up two lanes or running dangerously close to the median.

These headlights radiating the same magnitude of a star in the solar system are absolutely unnecessary; car manufacturers gave us a "brighter" option for a reason. But hey, I'm just grateful I have eyesight; I'd like to keep it that way.

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