Being in my 70s, I might be a little more sensitive than others to bright lights when driving at night.

Many headlights, however, are out of adjustment, which was mandatory to be checked during inspection until two years ago. The state actually forced all auto repair shots, including mine, to purchase an $800 headlight machine about 10 years ago. All of a sudden about two years ago, someone at the state police decided that headlight inspections were no longer required, as long as they worked.

People would be surprised how badly owners of vehicles, when changing their own headlight bulbs, can really screw things up. Some people actually force the three-pronged twist-in anchors for the bulb and get the headlight to point up, right or left. All this to save a few dollars.

The other thing that accounts for the bright headlights are the blue-white headlights that are for off-road use — it says so right on the box. A lot of people install these to be cool.

They don’t project the required 200 feet to be of any use and are blinding even when the low beam is on.

I encountered recently encountered a vehicle that had these bulbs in its headlights and also in its fog lights. They were so bright, I had to look away — and this was daytime.

Something has to be done. I can’t be the only person to notice this or be annoyed by it.

Dominick Rinaldi Sr.

Skowhegan

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