DURING my most recent journeys I have noticed a dangerous trend in the standard of lighting being displayed by fellow motorists.

During the hours of darkness I have travelled home to Dorchester from Winterborne Abbas, Poole and Bournemouth. It is commonplace to pass opposing traffic with only one headlight. I counted a total of eighteen during those trips.

Not only are those drivers breaking the law, but putting themselves and others at risk. If the remaining lamp were to fail the driver would be steering into pitch darkness!

During daylight hours it an offence to drive whilst using fog lights. (The Highway Code suggests they are only necessary when fog or snow reduces visibility to 100 meters), yet hundreds of drivers drive with them on illegally – some I have no doubt unaware that they are even on.

My plea is that drivers check their vehicles’ lights regularly.

As we get older sight often becomes something of a problem – fog lights dazzle (even in daylight) because of the height at which they are fitted and because they cannot be dipped.

So above all, keep safe and think about other road users, particularly now that we are into the long nights of darkness.

Perhaps the police patrols could respond robustly in this matter?

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Want to send us a letter? Email letters@dorsetecho.co.uk or post them to Have Your Say, Dorset Echo, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD