In Quebec City, one in three vehicles is driven with headlights that are half their original brightness. This is what the CAA-Quebec automobile club found in a study released as Halloween and winter approach.

In its multimedia document, the CAA-Quebec compares the results of brightness tests carried out with a damaged headlight with those obtained with the same restored lighthouse." 

From the CAA Quebec website: " A CAA-Quebec study shows that automobile headlight lenses damaged by weather, abrasives, and debris become so opaque that they can reduce illumination by 50 % compared to headlights in good condition. Tests conducted on a closed circuit confirm this: a driver traveling at night at 50 km/h will have 4 seconds more to react in an emergency situation if their headlights are in good condition rather than damaged.

HEADLIGHT RESTORATION ON A SAAB

HEADLIGHT RESTORATION ON A FORD FOCUS

A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM

To study the phenomenon of damaged headlights, CAA-Quebec first dispatched its experts to various public parking lots to observe a sample of vehicles representative of the Quebec vehicle fleet. This exercise revealed that 30 of the vehicles observed had obvious opacity problems, and even very serious ones in nearly 15 of the cases.

RESULTS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

Using a lux meter, CAA-Quebec measured illuminance—the amount of light received by the object being illuminated—before and after headlight lens restoration. The results of these tests, conducted in a closed room without a light source, were surprising. They indicated a difference in illuminance of up to 525 lux, or 6 times more lux.

…AND ON CLOSED CIRCUIT

Further tests on a road circuit also helped determine the impact of headlight lens opacity on visibility. Twelve black panels of different sizes were placed at different distances. The results show that the driver of the vehicle with undamaged headlights was able to see the panels some 60 meters earlier than the driver of the vehicle with damaged lenses. In summary, the improvement in visibility ranges from 92% to 1,200%.

"When driving at night, especially at this time of year when darkness sets in earlier and earlier, it is imperative to see as far as possible to be prepared for any eventuality. Considering that more than 90% of the information needed for driving comes from visual exploration, it is essential to have optimal vision, especially during this time when many children will be roaming our streets for Halloween," emphasizes Ms. Sophie Gagnon, Senior Director of Public and Government Relations at CAA-Quebec.

The CAA-Quebec tests were conducted when atmospheric conditions were favorable for driver visibility. It could be even more difficult, for example, to see a pedestrian both further away and on the outskirts, when it is snowing or raining heavily.

CAUSES OF HEADLIGHT DETERIORATION

Although headlight opacity is more common in vehicles over 5 years old, CAA-Quebec has found that this situation can occur in the first few years of a car's life. It's the type of material used to make the lenses that is the cause, rather than age. Therefore, glass headlights on a vehicle over 10 years old can be considered in excellent condition. Headlights made of polycarbonate are more easily damaged by abrasives and debris, such as sand, calcium, or salt, as well as by sun and rain.

LOW-COST FIXES

To restore headlights to their original condition, CAA-Quebec recommends working with a specialized company that offers comprehensive and long-lasting restoration of headlight lenses using a polishing technique. Several products are also available, but their results are not always long-lasting. "Treatments are available to address headlight opacity at low cost. There is therefore no excuse for putting up with headlights that don't sufficiently illuminate the road. All drivers benefit from improved visibility," says Gagnon.

Book now to have your headlights refurbished!