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Old 11-24-2015, 05:23 PM
 
Location: Denver
3,373 posts, read 9,162,649 times
Reputation: 3427

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Quote:
Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr View Post
An old friend of mine got a ticket (TX) for installing HID's in an early 90's sports car that originally had pop up headlights.

As far as why you don't see most cops writing tickets for this stuff... Probably because they have a hard time telling what is a factory HID system and what is not. Some vehicles even have halogens for the base model, but HIDs are an option. So if someone with a vehicle like that had a retrofit kit, there's no way for a cop to know.
Plug and play HID is pretty obvious though.
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Old 11-24-2015, 06:07 PM
 
15,708 posts, read 20,239,147 times
Reputation: 20861
Quote:
Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr View Post
As far as why you don't see most cops writing tickets for this stuff... Probably because they have a hard time telling what is a factory HID system and what is not. Some vehicles even have halogens for the base model, but HIDs are an option. So if someone with a vehicle like that had a retrofit kit, there's no way for a cop to know.
I find it's pretty easy to tell...especially on the highway in your rear view mirror. Most vehicles with factory HID's tend to output similar to halogen bulbed cars because they are aimed properly. The ones with the kits tend to glare a bit higher, so it's easy to pick out the bright spots.

Plus most aftermarket kits are bright blue 8K bulbs, which factory 4.3K bulbs tend to be a bit white/yellow.


Even retrofitting into halogen projectors isn't 100% "right" the difference is the focal point of the bulbs. If you put a HID bulb and a halogen bulb next to each other the point where the most intense light emminates from are in slightly different spot. As a result, the projector needs to be designed for that focal point. Putting HID bulbs in halogen projectors sure beats reflectors, but it's still not 100% operating to proper design.

Of course, to people who aren't "car people" it might be harder to pick out the aftermarket kits vs OEM hid's, but if you see a 90's Ford escort rolling down the street with bright blue headlights, odds are it didn't roll off the line that way.


And to answer the OP's question, yes, as a teen I have been in cars with my friends who put the lights in and got tickets for them. Tickets for tint, exhaust, headlight, and other stupid things teenagers did to their cars in the 90's
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Old 11-24-2015, 06:11 PM
 
Location: Denver
3,373 posts, read 9,162,649 times
Reputation: 3427
It is pretty easy to determine if your headlights are causing other drivers issues.

When it is dark turn on your headlights. Walk about 25 feet infront of your car. While standing look right at your headlights. If you can't look at them because it is too bright you are pissing off on coming cars.
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Old 11-24-2015, 07:16 PM
 
Location: Metro Washington DC
15,395 posts, read 25,663,648 times
Reputation: 10394
Quote:
Originally Posted by cupper3 View Post
I suspect local police are.
The local police are not enforcing NHTSA crackdowns. The only way they would is if it was a State law.
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Old 11-24-2015, 07:29 PM
 
Location: Los Angeles
8,445 posts, read 10,864,390 times
Reputation: 10691
Last night I was driving home and this new Acura suv was behind me.
The lights on that thing were so bright, it actually blinded me for a few seconds.
I have a self tinting rear view mirror, but the glare was just unbelievable.

When I glanced out the side view mirror, that is when I actually was blinded.
I could see nothing but a huge white flash, and it stayed like that for the better part of ten seconds or more.
Finally I sped up to get away from that jerk with the ultra brights .
He caught up to me at the next light, and pulled to my right, as he was making a right turn.

As he was turning, there was a car in the opposing lane, waiting for the green light.
I noticed that driver had too shield his eyes because the lights from the acura had blinded him as the acura was turning in his direction.
Absolutely no need for lights to be that bright.

Why are car makes allowed to have these kind of lights on any vehicle?.
They are a danger to all motorist.

Bob.
Attached Thumbnails
Anyone got a ticket for HID lights?-imagestthn079w.jpg  
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Old 11-24-2015, 07:59 PM
 
Location: 48.0710° N, 118.1989° W
590 posts, read 710,281 times
Reputation: 884
Quote:
Originally Posted by ukrkoz View Post
It's ironic, how you ask a question - Did you get a ticket? and end up with 6 responses saying "I had them installed".

NHTSA actually forced a TX manufacturer of HIDs to recall its product and substitute with legal lights. But that's TX manufacturer. What is made out else in the world and sold online is beyond their grasp.
And please, spare me rhetoric "I took care of this and aimed lights lower" or did something else. When you are going over a curve, your lights are pointing straight into oncoming traffic drivers eyes.

So what's the point in federal regulation if it's basically ignored by police? Don't tell me they do not have proper tools. They sure do have one for window tint.


NO- what that is, is about as bad as sending some bonehead a text message wherein you ask 4 different questions and get a reply answering only the question at the bottom of your original message.....
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Old 11-24-2015, 08:32 PM
 
18,822 posts, read 27,268,040 times
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Allegedly, factory HIDs are legit somehow. Though it does contradict NTHSA statement that NO HID kits are in compliance with whatever regulation.
And you just wait when BMW finally starts slapping laser operated headlights onto all of their cars, to be followed by everyone else. They had that idea 2 or so years ago. With laser being one of the worst carcinogens existing.
So they say "factory lights are properly aimed". Sure. And I was driving down long hill in the dark on my way home, and half the cars going UP the hill were blinding me, regardless of proper aim. Add to this those that make R turn, as their lights swipe the opposite lane drivers. And of course those behind you, which I had pleasure of having one right behind me for about ten minutes same drive home. His lights apparently were that "factory installed self dimming lights", as they were constantly changing brightness from high beam level to normal, based on passing cars.
I think, when there will be enough law suits proving "blinded by headlights' accidents and deaths, something will happen. Until then - it's ME against the rest of the world. Another way for a mindless egotist to "express himself'.
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Old 11-24-2015, 08:34 PM
 
17,153 posts, read 11,993,240 times
Reputation: 17071
No aftermarket kits is what they say.

The LEDs are even brighter.
http://www.motortrend.com/news/news041201-hella/
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Old 11-24-2015, 10:09 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR
1,454 posts, read 2,482,575 times
Reputation: 1987
Quote:
Originally Posted by ukrkoz View Post
Allegedly, factory HIDs are legit somehow. Though it does contradict NTHSA statement that NO HID kits are in compliance with whatever regulation.
And you just wait when BMW finally starts slapping laser operated headlights onto all of their cars, to be followed by everyone else. They had that idea 2 or so years ago. With laser being one of the worst carcinogens existing.
So they say "factory lights are properly aimed". Sure. And I was driving down long hill in the dark on my way home, and half the cars going UP the hill were blinding me, regardless of proper aim. Add to this those that make R turn, as their lights swipe the opposite lane drivers. And of course those behind you, which I had pleasure of having one right behind me for about ten minutes same drive home. His lights apparently were that "factory installed self dimming lights", as they were constantly changing brightness from high beam level to normal, based on passing cars.
I think, when there will be enough law suits proving "blinded by headlights' accidents and deaths, something will happen. Until then - it's ME against the rest of the world. Another way for a mindless egotist to "express himself'.
My god, are you really this clueless? Factory HID's are DOT approved, and they have a DOT sticker, normally right there on the top of the light housing for anyone to see. They are also auto levelling and should not blind anyone if they are operating properly. Your original post said that the NTHSA "was cracking down on aftermarket HID's" but you start this posting lambasting factory HID's.

You completely lost me with the "laser being one of the worst carcinogens existing {sic}" statement. Do you have any idea what you are talking about?

Clearly (or blindingly obvious) the issue is aftermarket, poorly aimed or poorly adapted HID or LED kits that are thrown into a regular halogen housing, as seen on anystreet in anytown, anyplace.

When you finish your diatribe with "it's ME against the rest of the world", you are truly showing your Napoleon syndrome.
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Old 11-24-2015, 10:15 PM
 
Location: Portland, OR
1,454 posts, read 2,482,575 times
Reputation: 1987
Quote:
Originally Posted by notnamed View Post
No aftermarket kits is what they say.

The LEDs are even brighter.
Hella Bi-Xenon Lighting "Unbeatable" in Master Tests - Motor Trend News
Eh? Your linked article was from 2004 and talks about them new high-faluting HID's. Bi-Xenon was the new invention highlighted in this 11 year puff-piece from Hella. LED lighting was not even mentioned in the article.
My god. it's amateur hour at the local debating society.
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