Just come back from France and in the shop on the ferry saw stick-on deflectors for cars from UK driving over there, and also for cars from France, Germany and Holland over here. I always thought continental headlamps dip straight down, unlike ours which dip to the left, which would mean continental headlamps don’t need modifying for UK driving. And until this trip I’ve never noticed adaptors to convert from right to left dip. But a German friend tells me continental headlamps dip to the right. Can anybody confirm?
Also if deflectors for UK cars convert from left to right dip, they’re presumably illegal for use in the UK, and should be removed on return. Is this so? I see many cars with them left on permanently.
In any case, I can’t see why there is a need for different deflectors for France, Germany and Holland. Personally, I never bother with them, I adjust the beam right down, and no sign of dazzling other drivers. I’ve spoken to HGV drivers who tell me they don’t use them.
Of course, need for deflectors is mentioned on leaflets handed out on the ferries for obvious reasons, to sell stuff. They also tell you 2 breathalysers must be carried in France. The law there says this, though there is no penalty or endorsement for non-compliance and in practice it doesn’t apply.
Lastly, I’m surprised modern cars don’t have a mechanism to switch between left and right dip.
Also if deflectors for UK cars convert from left to right dip, they’re presumably illegal for use in the UK, and should be removed on return. Is this so? I see many cars with them left on permanently.
In any case, I can’t see why there is a need for different deflectors for France, Germany and Holland. Personally, I never bother with them, I adjust the beam right down, and no sign of dazzling other drivers. I’ve spoken to HGV drivers who tell me they don’t use them.
Of course, need for deflectors is mentioned on leaflets handed out on the ferries for obvious reasons, to sell stuff. They also tell you 2 breathalysers must be carried in France. The law there says this, though there is no penalty or endorsement for non-compliance and in practice it doesn’t apply.
Lastly, I’m surprised modern cars don’t have a mechanism to switch between left and right dip.