Taxi Driver Online

Smallfield Cabbie Drives Bid To Ban Hi-tech Car Lights

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A campaining taxi driver is urging Number 10 to make a brand of bright headlights illegal before they get 'blood on their hands'.

Kenneth Perham, of Chapel Road, Smallfield, has been a night-time taxi driver in London for the past 37 years.

He is waging war against bi-xenon car headlights after he nearly crashed shortly after they were introduced almost 10 years ago.

The campaign started after he picked up a researcher for BBC's The One Show in his cab last year.

After listening to the 58-year-old's views on the dangers of bi-xenon filament lights while in the back of his cab, the BBC worker called him up the next day to appear on the programme.

Mr Perham has also set up an online petition to make bi-xenon headlights illegal.

If he gets 500 signatures by June 2010 he will have the opportunity to raise his concerns in the House of Commons.

Mr Perham said: "Take it from me, there are thousands of people out there who are intimidated by these brighter lights.

"I've spoken to hundreds of people and about 75 per cent agreed they had been dazzled.

"What happens if the government do nothing? Someone is going to die. That's what is going to happen, and then they will have blood on their hands."

He has also sent letters to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and East Surrey MP Peter Ainsworth for support.

Bi-xenon headlamps were introduced in 1999. They can improve brightness by 30-60 per cent.

Surrey Police's Paul Beard, head of road safety and traffic management, sent Mr Perham a letter earlier in the year explaining the benefits of bi-xenon lighting.

He said: "The light source requires 35 per cent less energy than conventional lights and thus helps to reduce energy consumption levels.

"The police have the necessary powers to deal as appropriate, with drivers who fail to adjust the headlights on their vehicles.

"Bi-xenon lights currently fall within the scope of permitted lamps.

"I do appreciate just how annoying, it can be when faced with an oncoming driver or someone travelling behind one's vehicle, to have to suffer 'glare' because of ill-adjusted headlamps.

"There is, however, plenty to be said in favour of using a system of lighting that gives an enhanced view of the road ahead."

For more information on Mr Perham's campaign, visit www. blindedbixenon.co.uk.

Source; ThisIsSurreyToday.co.uk

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

I hate the F***IN things I agree they should be banned.

I have to be honest I haven't a clue what you're talking about. Are these the ones that cost about £150 when they do blow

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Yeah them are the ones, they blind the hell out of you when they are coming towards you.

I've noticed some brighter ones but I haven't had a problem with them, I just close my eyes it goes away then

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

The normal bulbs melt the plastic TX headlights, feck knows what they would do to them.

That said, the guy at the top of this thread clearly has too much time on his hands.

Of all the things affecting the London Taxi Trade at the moment, I would'nt have put other cars headlights anywhere near the top of the list.

Easy option, dont work when its dark.

Just use side lights.

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Grandad,