Originally Posted by
SlimRider
+1 This ^^^^ Most drivers don't speed towards bright lights! In fact, instinct would dictate just the opposite reaction. As soon as you're faced with a bright light, you instinctively hit the brake. How hard you hit the brake is usually determined by both the degree of brightness and the speed at which it approaches. Either the light source appears to get larger, become brighter, or both.
The only problem there is, the light being so bright as to become blinding, and actually becoming a hazard to road safety.
I guess the question becomes:
At what point does bright light, become too bright to maintain safe transport for all?
You must have a Ph.D!!!
I just started pushing bright lights, and believe you me, the cars are slowing down, giving me way, in others words, they give me respect on the road. I contribute all of that to the BRIGHT LIGHTS!!
Since I KNOW, I am pushing some powerful beams up front, I MAKE sure I aim them DOWNWARD, about 20 some feet in front of me. Even with that, I am still bright, bright, and bright!! This mornig at about 5 am, pitch dark out, I leaned my bike up against a pole. I walked about 50 feet out in front, and even though I did not look directly at my lights, them dam things are bright.
Now, on to the balance point of blinding others, opposed to being seen and respected for their place on the road. I am almost positive, that 96% of the bicycle riders that are running POWERFUL LIGHTS, don't aim them to blind others..Even so, the momentary discomfort to others, can't hold a candle to our safety. Remember now, 96% of us with bright lights are responsible. So, I don't think that is a problem.
When I pulled out merging into traffic and have to take the full lane, and traffic is doing 60mph in a 30mph zone, I want to be seen. My rear blinkys are doing a great job, but I am going for more back there too. None of us want to be that one lying on the ground and somebody saying "oh, I didn't see them"... None of us!!!