International Motor Vehicle Lighting Equipment Campaign to be held in October

HEIDELBERG, Germany -- Every year in October U.S. Forces in Germany participate in the International Motor Vehicle Lighting Equipment Campaign.

"The reason we participate in the campaign each year is to encourage car owners to have them inspected before winter weather sets in," said Michael Schwarz, Installation Management Command Europe chief of safety.

German garages, Exchange Car Care Centers and most U.S. Forces Vehicle Inspection Stations will be conducting courtesy (cost free) inspections to check vehicle lighting systems to include headlights, taillights, fog lights and turn signals.

"Exchange Car Care Centers, U.S. Forces Vehicle Inspection Stations and all off-post auto repair shops provide free inspections in support of the campaign," he said. "The campaign is conducted each year to correct deficiencies before the winter driving season. This is the time when hours of darkness increase and winter road and weather conditions begin."

In addition to the lighting inspection, AAFES Car Care Centers will also inspect windshield wipers, exhaust systems and tires.

"Any repair work to correct deficiencies is, of course, chargeable to the vehicle owner," said Schwarz.

Upon successful completion of the lighting system inspection, a safety sticker (Licht Test '11) will be affixed to the windshield showing that the vehicle has successfully passed the inspection, he said.

Schwarz urged all car owners to take advantage of the International Motor Vehicle Lighting Equipment Campaign and prepare your automobile for winter weather.

The International Motor Vehicle Lighting Equipment Campaign is part of the U.S. Army Europe and Germany Fight the Risk joint traffic safety campaign.

For more information check out the Army's Fight the Risk website at www.fight-the-risk.army.mil.