AAA Texas Warns Motorists to Use Extra Caution Following Daylight Saving Time; Experts Offer Tips to Drivers On Handling Glare From New-Design Headlights.

Business Editors & Automotive Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2002

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. AAA Texas reminds motorists that they need to adjust their driving habits as well as their clocks so they can stay safe in darker driving conditions.

"After setting back their clocks an hour, motorists need to adapt to reduced visibility from darkness and fog that can affect both morning and evening commutes," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas.

"Drivers will need to use their headlights much more often than they do during daylight saving time, and be aware that headlights also help make their vehicle more visible in dusky or foggy light conditions," Rougeau added.

Because the additional darkness will bring increased headlight use, many motorists may also experience a problem with glare from the high-technology headlights in use on newer model cars. These high-intensity discharge (HID) lights emit twice the light of conventional halogen headlamps and produce a blue-white light.

"The new headlight design gives much improved visibility to the drivers who have them on their vehicles, but drivers around them may experience glare problems, especially if the vehicle is an SUV," Rougeau said.

AAA Texas has several steps drivers can take to reduce glare:

-- Keep all your windows and your headlights clean. A spotty windshield can both reduce visibility and increase headlight glare at night.

-- Make sure your glasses and contacts are clean and scratch-free. Smudged or scratched lenses worsen headlight glare. If you continue to have problems with glare even with clean lenses, you may want to consider adding an anti-reflective coating to your lenses.

-- Use the rear-view mirror's "night" setting. All cars have "day/night" interior mirrors to reduce reflected glare from vehicles directly behind you. To use, flip the small lever at the bottom of the mirror.

-- Replace and/or clean your windshield wipers. Wipers will streak your windshield if they are dirty or they need to be replaced. Clean the wiper blades with a paper towel dipped in windshield wiper fluid.

-- Avert your eyes from headlight glare. When an oncoming vehicle shines light directly into your eyes, move your line of sight to the right away from the glare until the vehicle passes. You can still see vehicles around you with you peripheral vision.

To prevent your headlights from causing glare for others around you, AAA Texas recommends that you use your lights courteously. If your car has fog lamps, don't use them if there is no fog. In fog, use only your low-beam headlights, because your high beams will actually reduce your own ability to see and may temporarily blind other drivers. Avoid using your high beams when you see oncoming vehicles or when you drive in urban areas.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.