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To the Editor:

This is a Call to Action. Something’s got to be done, and I mean soon.

Automobile manufacturers have got to stop wasting their time on so-called ‘self driving’ autos, and get serious about safety.

You all know what I’m talking about. It’s the most dangerous aspect of driving a vehicle. And the most maddening! YES, high-beam headlights!

Specifically, drivers who refuse to dim their lights at night when meeting my car. I cannot bring myself to believe that there are that many rude or clueless drivers on the roads. I could be mistaken, however.

What I want to know, first, is why auto manufacturers don’t install automatic dimmers as standard equipment? I mean, do we really need three more cup holders? Do I need 700 horsepower so my car can reach 206 mph so I can drive it on roads where I better not get caught doing 80? Huh? NO!

When I was about 7 years old, (I’m 70 now) dad had a car with an automatic dimmer on the dash. I am not making this up. I thought it was really cool; it was shaped like a rocket, and would actually dim the headlights when we met

another car! This was in the early fifties, people!

I recently saw (on TV) a 1930’s model something that had one of these dimmers on the dash. But does your car have one? I think not.

This technology is very old, and that means it would cost very little to install today.

Remember when basic calculators cost $150.00? Now you can pick one up at the Dollar Store. So the additional cost would be a mere pittance, but it would be worth a fortune as a safety feature.

I mean, ‘self driving’ cars, really? Do you really plan to turn your steering wheel loose out on I-95 while bumper to bumper at 85 mph? Or anywhere in Greenville at any speed? I don’t think so.

So, car builders, quit throwing money away on stupid ideas like that, and install something that will really do some good. Because apparently, there ARE rude and clueless drivers out there….and they are everywhere!!

Ralph Burgess

Ahoskie