In his finding, released today, Coroner Garry Evans recommended greater emphasis be placed on the dangers of driving with dipped headlights on rural roads during the hours of darkness.
"The public should be made aware that visibility of the length of road ahead of them whilst driving is greatly reduced, in contrast to travelling with headlights on full beam, which provides a fivefold increase in forward visibility," he said.
Coroner Evans also recommended a review of road rules as to when drivers should drive with headlights on full beam, and the inclusion of a headlights distance test in vehicle warrant of fitness checks.
Mr Mascelle took issue with the coroner's finding that driving with dipped headlights at the time of the accident was not an action consistent with "a reasonable and prudent driver".
He did not accept his "accidental striking of Mr Hoskins was the only cause of Mr Hoskins' injuries" and said that contrary to the court's finding, it was possible more than one vehicle was involved.
Meanwhile, a coroner has ruled that a 76-year-old farmer, who died from injuries after he crashed his tractor, was "the author, to some extent, of his own misfortune and tragically has died from the injuries sustained".
Dargaville man Graham Willis Foster was using his tractor to slash gorse on February 7, 2011 and had either fallen out or been run over, sustaining serious injuries.
He managed to drive his Land Rover after the accident, but drove it into a ditch and "succumbed to his injuries".
Coroner Ian Smith found Mr Foster's tractor was not in "sound operating condition, particularly with reference to its brakes".
