The Swedish system of annual inspection of cars means that traffic-dangerous faults are detected and rectified, or that the cars in question are banned from driving.
However, some faults are more common than others, and a fault that is particularly distressing in winter is found on as many as 1 in 4 cars.
It shows statistics from The car testit is revealed in a press release produced in collaboration with Synoptik.
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The problem 8 out of 10 experience in traffic
According to Awet Tesfamariamclinical manager at Synoptik, 65 percent of drivers in Sweden feel that it is more difficult to drive in the dark.
This can be explained by the fact that the eye loses its detail vision in the dark, and that it becomes more difficult to distinguish colors. The situation worsens further in the event of, for example, snow or rain.
Over the years, the eye also becomes more malleable, which leads to impaired vision.
Another important reason why driving can be more difficult in the dark is glare, and according to Bilprovningen and Synoptik, as many as 8 out of 10 drivers feel that they are dazzled by oncoming traffic when driving in the dark.
1 in 4 cars have this fault
To avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, the car’s lights must be set correctly.
Statistics from the more than 1 million cars that Bilprovningen inspected in 2023 show that as many as 1 in 4 cars have problems with the so-called communication system.
It could be, for example, that the dipped beam is incorrectly adjusted, or that the headlights or position lights are out of order.
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Check your car
In order to get rid of these problems, Swedish car owners must, according to Bilprovningen, get better at checking the lighting on their cars.
– The vision inspection in 2024 shows that two out of three car drivers only check the lighting on their car every six months or less often, says Per-Anders Blommeforsinspection manager at Bilprovningen.
The car test therefore recommends that you regularly check that the high beams, dipped beams, position lights, indicators and brake lights are working properly. You must also check that the red reflectors at the back are present and intact.
Having your vision checked every two years is also recommended. Those who wear glasses can also get special traffic glasses, which reduce glare and increase contrasts.
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