Philips has been recognised for its Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) vehicle headlamp bulb, which has been responsible for cutting night time accidents on rural roads. Formal recognition of the innovative bulb’s contribution to road safety has come in the form of the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

Philips Automotive Lighting has long been a leader in the development of automotive lighting systems supplying global vehicle manufacturers with innovative lighting systems. It has played a key role in the development of Xenon HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulbs which provides light that is comparable to daylight compared with standard halogen bulbs. Studies have demonstrated that xenon lighting helps drivers to concentrate on the road and to distinguish obstacles and road signs much faster than traditional lamps. The result is safer driving in all conditions.

The use of Xenon lights has been responsible for cutting night time accidents on rural roads by more than half and has the potential to save several thousand lives across Europe every year according to research by the European association of automotive suppliers, CLEPA.

Independent German research by TUV has indicated that a car park 100% equipped with Xenon lighting, instead of halogen, would result in: 23% less accidents with injuries at night; 41% less fatalities at night; 6% less accidents with injuries and 18% less fatalities in total, day and night.