Many Vehicles With Defective Lights

Press, Volume C, Issue 29497, 26 April 1961, Page 17

Many Vehicles With Defective Lights

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. April 25. A seriously high proportion of vehicle lighting defects has been found during the present road safety campaign. Announcing details of the nation-wide night checks on vehicle lighting during the past week the traffic superintendent of the Transport Department 'Mr J. C. C. Edwards! said tonight that nearly 22 per cent of 8000 vehicles inspected had lighting faults. "Because of this disturbing situation with winter coming on. these night checks will be continued until there is a big improvement,” he said. "Without efficient lighting a motorist cannot possibly drive safely at night. “It has been rather alarming to find that more than 10 per cent, of the defects reported have been . headlights. This means that all those motorists are either not getting the full benefit of their headlights or creating a dazzle hazard for others — or both.” Of nearly 1000 cycles checked. 44 per cent, had lighting faults. “Cyclists don’t seem to realise the great danger they place themselves in at night It is extremely difficult for a motorist to see an unlighted cycle. especially in wet weather. In these conditions the motorist is on top of the cyclist before he sees him,” said Mr Edwards. Mr Edwards said that more than 5 per cent, of nearly 12.000 vehicle tyres inspected were found to be worn

through. Sixteen cars were put off the road in the Auckland district because they had tyres in a dangerous condition. “Smooth tyres might be perfectly safe on a dry day but they are a death trap in the wet —and it needs only a shower to produce that,” he said.