Black Out Monday

October 31st has been dubbed Black Out Monday by Halfords, with millions of motorists returning to commuting home in the dark after the clocks have been turned back. The darker nights combined with defective car bulbs mean motorists face poorer visibility on the roads.

Research by Halfords has found that an estimated 2.6 million cars are being driven on the roads with defective lights. One in ten motorists (10.1%) surveyed was found to have a failed headlight, sidelight, rear or brake-light which would significantly increase the risk of an accident.

The research by Halfords also found that 17% of motorists weren’t certain that all the lights on their car were working, while 41% were worried about being seen by other drivers or had already experienced difficulty reading road signs and almost a quarter (22%) said they tired more quickly as a result of darker nights.

As a result Halfords has launched a set of headlights which give 130% more light than standard bulbs on the road, giving motorists excellent visibility in the hours of darkness. The improved performance is achieved through Xenon gas and micro filament technology and helps drivers see further, react faster and drive more safely. In addition the colour temperature is up to 3700K for a whiter light than a standard bulb. Halfords is also currently offering two-for-one on selected headlights until March.

Ella Colley, Halfords’ car bulb expert says: “At this time of year, poor visibility is common on the roads and with the clocks going back it’s even more crucial that drivers are extra vigilant and do their best to see and be seen. Driving with defective lights can be risky. It’s estimated that there over 800,000 vehicles on UK roads with lights that are not up to a safe MOT standard it is also against the law to drive with a defective bulb.

“Poor lighting and defective car bulbs can make judging gaps and overtaking a real hazard. And broken brake lights can give drivers behind less time to react.”

It is always best to plan ahead and be prepared, so Halfords recommends motorists undertake the following checks as a precaution:

• Check all lights at least once a fortnight, but preferably more frequently
• Don’t forget fog lights, full-beam headlights and indicators
• Carry a spare bulb set in your glovebox
• Keep your lights clean for clear vision and visibility
• Some bulbs can be replaced easily but where motorists are unsure they should contact their local Halfords store or Halfords Autocentre 
• Check rear lights by asking someone to observe or by driving up to a wall and checking the reflection in a mirror

For drivers seeking extra piece of mind, Halfords is offering free six-point winter checks - comprising head/tail light bulbs, car batteries, wiper blades, oil levels, windscreen checks and a free screenwash top-up throughout the season at over 700 sites across the UK. There's no need to book, just turn up. To find your nearest store visit www.halfords.com or your nearest Halfords Autocentre www.halfordsautocentres.com.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_14552_productId_1183526_langId_-1_categoryId_null

For further information please contact Halfords@z-pr.com or 020 7896 3404

For more information visit www.halfords.com or www.halfordscompany.com