SAFETY ON THE ROADS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 260, 1 October 1940, Page 3

SAFETY ON THE ROADS.

COMMON DRIVING FAULT

“A common driving fault at nighttime, born of thoughtlessness rather than deliberate discourtesy, is that of interfering with the vision of the driver in front by projecting the full glare of headlights in his rear window panel,” says the latest road safety message of the Manawatu Automobile Association. “This important safety feature has been mentioned before, but lately there has been a prevalence of the fault. The practice alluded to is a form of irritation for the driver ahead, and it can become a real,danger for the motorist and others on the roadway, the cyclist and pedestrian, for instance.

“The effect of headlights in the rear panel is that of discomfiting the driver when consulting his rear view mirror. It may also affect his forward vision to the" detriment of cyclists or pedestrians who 'happen to be ahead. Some drivers seek protection from headlights following by using the rear panel blind, but actually all motorists are expected to have rear-view mirrors which give an effective view of traffic following and the use of a blind negatives the effective use of the mirror. The following driver can spare the driver in front much inconvenience by keeping well back, by dipping his lights, or by overtaking and passing. It is wrong to trail another ear close up and subject the driver ahead to lull headlights. “And, a’’word may be said. too. for the motor-cyclist or cyclist ahead ot the motorist at night-time. When the full headlights are directed on a cyclist or motor-cyclist the light tends to cast a shadow of the cyclist’s form in front of him so that the cyclist or motorcyclist mav, if fhe road be rough, be in some clanger of mishap through stones, potholes, or obstruction. There is also the psychological aspect with [jcrsons of nervous temperament of trying to ride safely with the irritating glare of headlights immediately behind. It will thus lx? seen that in the use of headlights there are several ways in which thoughtfulness and courtesy will make safer and more pleasant the way of the person m front, be he motorist, cyclist, or motor-cyclist.'’