NHTSA Illegal Auto Lighting Crackdown Continues

Continuing its crackdown against manufacturers and suppliers of illegal lighting equipment, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 19th 2004 announced its decision that high intensity discharge (HID) conversion kits produced by a Texas company do not comply with federal safety standards.

The owner of ASTEX USA, a supplier of aftermarket HID kits, was ordered to conduct a recall campaign and provide a no-cost solution to the customer. The company is based in Dayton, TX. When installed in a motor vehicle, the HID kits "can be expected to produce excessive glare to oncoming motorists and others," NHTSA said in its decision.

To date, NHTSA has investigated 24 HID conversion kit suppliers; all investigations have resulted in recalls or termination of sales.

Companies that sell, import or manufacture non-compliant equipment could face substantial civil penalties, NHTSA said.

Thousands of accidents a year may be attributed to the effect of illegal lighting kits, especially predominant on modified Japanese and Korean manufactured cars preferred by many younger drivers today.

Register your Case

If you had an auto accident that was in any way related to being blinded by the lights of an oncoming vehicle, if that vehicle was identified in the accident report you may have been the victim of illegally installed ultra bright car lights. Please click the link below to submit your complaint and an attorney will review it for inclusion in a potential legal action..