At 06:16 PM 11/10/2009, Al Knoll wrote...
>"No matter how elegant the hypothesis, or how eloquent it's
>presentation, if
>it doesn't agree with the data, it's' wrong" -- attributed to Feynman
>at the
>Thiokol hearings.

You obviously don't understand what he said, since you went on to make
exactly the opposite argument. Statements from an automotive lighting
professional, and objective scientific measurements, trump anecdotal,
subjective evidence any day.

You also obviously didn't read the non-DOT references from Germany (
http://dsl.torque.net/images/techdocs/Hella_No_Retrofit.jpg ) or New
Zealand (
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/get-your-lights-right.html ).

Feel free to point to ANY (non-3rd world) government which allows HID
conversions. They're all obviously under the influence of the OEM
headlamp cartel.

Increased glare, and the corresponding reduction in night vision for
oncoming drivers, doesn't have to rise to the point of them thinking
someone has their high beams on. With all the clueless drivers who run
with fog lights during clear weather, no doubt many drivers have simply
learned to live with it, despite the effect on safety. Not getting
flashed by oncoming drivers could simply mean they're thinking to
themselves "What an a**hat."