MOTOR VEHICLES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 589, 3 December 1920, Page 3

MOTOR VEHICLES.

f (Dazzling headlights

Although there exists in almost all countries legislation prohibiting . the use of dazzling headlights on motor vehicles, the rea&h why it is not enforced is becaus»"'vhere really is no means available to comply with, the law. : In a perfunctory sort of /way, motorists observe the regulation by preventing the uppermost raySjStf the headiiifht being projected morO than 4ft, above road level. But h\ providing, b light that would answer the requirements of the motorist, that wq&ljld comply with the law, but would nofe- dazzle other road, mJers, a nice prjjblem had to be solved In a paper prepared by Mr. J. Qrlsme A.M.1.E.E., of Melbourne results of a number of interesting experiments are given. With the projector used a fanshjaped beam of light was thrown so that the roadway was brilliantly ilup to iuOyds distance, with of 58y<is, and not higher than 4ft above rotd level. Although such a result might appear perfect, such was not the case, as thp motorist could see only portions of the legs 6i persons or. horses and parts of wheels. The fact is that the human eye is accustomed to see complete objects, and % to see them in relation to surrounding objects, that it, in perspective. Pedestrians then were caused to walk straight ahead from the projector, and it was noted that at 65yds visibility, that is, instant appreciation ceased, and although the observer bshind the projector could see these people at that distance with difficulty, the pedestrians, with their back to the light, could see a further distance of 150 yds and 'recognise objects distinctly. This proved that the reflected light from the brilliantly illuminated road surface was actually producing a glare sufficient to interfere with the resolving powet of the eye or the observer. Provided the pedestrians kept their eyes above the height of illumination, there was no interference with their vision.