Headlights play a crucial role in safe driving.The National Safety Council reports that three times as many road fatalities happen at night-time because of the difficult driving conditions. Headlights should emit a steady beam of light and be cleaned at least once a week for optimal performance.
According to AutoMedia, headlights were first introduced in 1885 as acetylene gas lamps. In 1905, they became electric and were covered with glass casings, but safety concerns raised during the 1970s prevented further use, as glass was deemed hazardous in collisions and to pedestrians.
From the 1970s to 2011, headlights have been made from molded polycarbonate plastic. A quartz-halogen bulb provides the light from behind the plastic reflector. Popular Mechanics suggests polycarbonate plastic is lighter and safer than glass. AutoMedia, however, states that although durable, this plastic is cheap, scratches and becomes faded easily.
According to Edmunds.com, new developments in headlight design have produced the invention of adaptive headlights. These headlights use fiber-optic technology to adapt to the road speed and steering wheel movements of the car. This instantaneous reactivity can help create safer driving conditions by significantly improving driver visibility.
