Sometimes lights make it hard to see

Dear Editor,

Here I go again complaining about something that bothers me and many people, but they tell ME to write you about it.

We're talking about lights. Not just any light or lights, but those that create problems! First, the new emergency vehicles, i.e. police cars, firetrucks, ambulances and fire police.

They are all now equipped with strobe lights that flash at you like a bolt of lightning! We approach an incident from either direction and immediately slow down because you can't see squat!

After almost stopping, we see in the distance what appears to be a police officer or fire policeman waving frantically and yelling, "What the heck are you waiting for, move it!"

Uh, we could sir, if we could see where to go!

Then there are the new cars with the powerful projector-bulb headlights and/or strobe alone with driving lights all zooming in your direction! Or the businesses that have yellow arrow lights flashing to lead you into their lot. (Isn't that illegal anymore?)

If the above is not enough, take a drive toward Slatington on Route 873, and as you approach the last grade you are suddenly blinded by ultra-blue powerful lights that are supposed to be shining on the car lot!

Just the other morning while returning from New York City, I was descending what is called the "Jugtown Mountain Hill" near Bloomsbury, New Jersey, and a giant billboard advertising a new car actually had what appeared to be headlights of the strobe type beamed directly into the traffic!

I can't help but remember as a kid when we used to drive to Bethlehem to see the Christmas lights, a maze of soft neon-type lights. Tree lights with soft lights and bubble lights that were comfortable to look at have been replaced with the strobe-type blue and white lights!

In closing, there is one light that I am looking for especially during the Christmas season, and that is that bright light that will suddenly appear in the eastern sky when our savior returns to take all his believers home to be with him. Until then, I'll be the old guy holding a candle to find my way to the bathroom!

As always,

Richard M. Gross

Lehighton