Ops Xenon - hangat hangat tahi ayam?

I did wonder when our authorities are going to wake up to the problems posed by Xenon headlights.

Apparently now they have. Let's hope this is not another farcical attempt to show the rakyat that they are earning their keep with the recent increase in government salaries.

Crackdown on Xenon headlights (The Star, 14 June 2007)

KANGAR: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will act against vehicle owners who modify their headlamps with bright Xenon lights that are blinding to other motorists at night.

JPJ Director of Enforcement Salim Parlan said the Xenon lights could blind drivers of vehicles coming from the opposite direction or in front of them.

He said the JPJ had received several complaints from the public on these modified headlamps and would take immediate action against modification beyond the set standard under the Road Transport Act 1987.

“These Xenon lights are too bright and can obstruct the visibility of other road users at night. This poses a danger to the other road users,” he said during an integrated traffic operation here yesterday.

The Road Transport Act provides for a RM200 fine for modification to a vehicle without the approval of JPJ's technical authorities. Salim said the JPJ was considering regulations to prohibit the use of Xenon lights on vehicles altogether. “We know that vehicles of several manufacturers use such lights. The JPJ will submit its application to introduce such regulations to the higher authorities for consideration,” he said.