DAZZLING HEADLIGHTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17111, 5 April 1921, Page 8

DAZZLING HEADLIGHTS.

BRITISH INVESTIGATION. A solution to the vexed question of dazzling lights on motor vehicles has been anxiously awaited for some months,- says a correspondent of the London "Times." Official test's have been made, and lampj of different nationalities have been tried, but none seems to combine the essential qualities—namely, <'anti-dazzle" and a sufficiency of driving light. Any solution of the problem must contain a definite limiting regulation which does not depend on a driver's goodwill. Also any legislation imposing an appreciable expenditure in trouble or expense on the motor owner, and interfering with hia freedom, would be utterly unfair. No such measures, however, are likely to be adopted. The taking of evidence on the whole subject is shortly to be completed, and much attention, care, and research, have been given by the authorities. In the meantime, it may be said that the regulations will be simple and not too irksome, being based on the principle thajt no beam must be shown at a greater elevation than four and a-half feet from a level road surface. At what maximum distance the beam may strike the road and its width at thij point have not been decided, but the importance of diffusing light at 'the sides of the vehicle, —and especially at. the off-side, to help the oncoming road user —will be taken into account.

With reference to the limiting distance, there are advocates of 150 yards and. others of 50 yards. The final decision will probably be about 80 ,yardß. There is distinct opposition to tno'U'se of swivel lights, and to the practice of switching lamps off and on. In both cases, grave elements of danger are presented, and neither practice is likely to be authorised.

The necessary alteration in limiting the height of the beams will be made by modification in the present parabolic reflector and in the focii's of the bulbs. It is understood that tissue paper will be allowed, the power of the lamp being controlled in the same way by the limiting maximum distance of visibility, judged by an ordinary observer on an ordinary night. All motor-cars—four-ing and utility vehicles —will be under the same regulation. Checking the observance of the new regulations will obviously be difficult, and no doubt the spirit of the law will be borne in mind more than the letter. It is intended to use the_ Royal Automobile Club's standard disc for accuracy testing. In the case of fog, a fifth lamp will probably be allowed to illuminate the kerb or side of the road.