I've worked on my car's electrical system. I figured out that the reason why the passenger-side headlight was dim is that the connector was loose. Pretty high-level stuff.
As to the bright headlights, what has occured is that people get annoyed with drivers using these bright headlights, and so they try to find something brighter. I'm trying to find a mercury-vapor type of lamp, especially in a particulary irritating shade of blue.
I also agree that "parking lights" are of no use. If it's dark enough for parking lights, use headlights.
The other irritating practice around here (gosh, as I'm typing, there they go again!) is people beeping their horn as they get to intersections to make sure that the people who have the stop sign actually stop. They (beep-beep) every (beep-beep) block (beep-beep) as they (beep-beep) drive along (beep-beep). I'd like to find a way to rig their horn's circuit to their air-bags. That ought to shut them up for a while. Maybe the city should install bells, lights and arms similar to those found at RR crossings, rather than those silly stop signs.
