VEHICLE LIGHTING IN BLACKOUT

Southland Times, Issue 24883, 24 October 1942, Page 2

VEHICLE LIGHTING IN BLACKOUT

Special Headlamp Masks

As a result of experiments which have been made in Invercargill, a special set of headlamp masks suitable for emergency conditions is being prepared for the limited number of vehicles which will be required to operate during next Wednesday night’s blackout trial. During the emergency period the only vehicles which will be allowed to display an unmasked headlamp will be Army vehicles; and (while engaged on urgent service only) fire vehicles, ambulances and vehicles conveying police officers. E.P.S. vehicles will use unscreened parking lights and the left headlight fitted with the special mask. This mask will allow a small amount of light for driving purposes and will also show the letters ’’E.P.S.” Doctors’ cars may use unscreened parking lights and the left headlight fitted with a special mask similar to the E.P.S. mask, but showing the letter “M.”

Other motorists are advised not to take their cars out during the blackout. They will be restricted to two parking lights only, screened with the equivalent of two thicknesses of newspaper; they must not display headlights. All lights must be extinguished on vehicles when stationary. TAIL LIGHTS

In a blackout tail lights become very conspicuous. All vehicles must have their tail, signal and number plate lights screened with the equivalent of two thicknesses of newspaper. Where the rear light throws a beam upwards to Illuminate the number plate it must be completely blacked-out. The small red light which appears on the top of some parking lamps must be blacked out. It will be noticed that there are extremely few vehicles entitled to show a headlight during the blackout trial. Cycle lights must be screened with the equivalent of two thicknesses of newspaper and the lights should be pointed well downwards. Cyclists are recommended to improvise a tail light by tying a properly masked torch under the saddle with a piece of red cellophane inside the glass. Tail lights should always be fitted on the righthand side of the bicycle. Matches must not be struck out of doors during the emergency period. E.P.S. PERSONNEL All wardens and their messengers will be on duty. Law and order officers attached to wardens’ posts will report there. All other law and order members, including shelter officers, will report at law and order headquarters, except the identification squad, which will not be required. Transport cars attached to wardens’ posts and wardens’ headquarters will report there at the beginning of the trial. Transport cars attached to law and order headquarters, however, will report to the transport liaison officer at law and order headquarters 40 minutes before the advertised time for special duties.